Ruholls' Loss Leads to Gift to Help Others

(DUSTIN AND TASHA RUHOLL WITH THEIR SON, WHO IS HOLDING A PHOTO OF DANIEL, WITH OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS)

The loss of a child led a local couple to work toward acquisition of a system designed to help others in the same situation.

Dustin and Tasha Ruholl of Teutopolis lost their son, Daniel Anthony, to stillbirth on October 16, 2017. During a moving event Wednesday afternoon at HSHS St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital, Tasha Ruholl talked about Daniel's passing and how they wished they had more time to say goodbye.

The Ruholls learned of the CuddleCot system, which is equipped with a cooling pad that is placed in a bassinet. The cooling pad slows the infant's physical changes, allowing the family to have more time with the baby following death.

Our Greg Sapp spoke with Tasha and Dustin Ruholl after the ceremony about the donation and the circumstances surrounding it...

The Ruholls held a luncheon and dinner drive-thru at McMahon Meats in September, along with an online fundraiser. The proceeds were enough that the Ruholls are able to donate CuddleCots to eight hospitals in the region, one of which is St. Anthony's.

Bobbi Kinkelaar, St. Anthony's Executive Director of Nursing Operations, talked with Greg about how the donation will help...

The Ruholls worked with a non-profit organization called Madison's Miracles based in Florida, which provides support and resources to grieving parents who have experienced still birth or infant loss. Madison's Miracles was founded by Chris and Christina Stamper, who lost Madison to stillbirth 11 years ago. Christina Stamper was on hand in Effingham for Wednesday's ceremony.

Also present was Tracy Willenborg, who also contributed to the CuddleCot project. She and her husband Russ lost their son Evan a few days after his birth. Tracy Willenborg said her participation and having the opportunity to talk about Evan made the event special.

To honor Daniel and in appreciation of the Ruholls' generosity, HSHS St. Anthony's Foundation will be placing a commemorative paver in the hospital's Healing Garden in Daniel's memory. Hospital representatives presented Tasha and Dustin with a certificate about the paver, which will be placed this spring.