Elizabeth Francis's Story

“We were due to have our second child in July 2015 and had named him Baby Francis until we found out the gender. I worked the night before our gender ultrasound, and something just didn’t feel right. I couldn’t exactly pinpoint it, but I had an uneasy feeling. During the ultrasound the next morning, my uneasiness turned to heartbreak when we found out that Baby Francis had no heartbeat and had probably passed away within the last week. The next couple of days are kind of a numb blur. My husband and I came to the hospital the next afternoon on February 27. I was induced, and Baby Francis was born sleeping on February 28, 2015, at 0241 weighing 5.8 oz. We found out that our child had passed away due to umbilical cord torsion. At the time, I wasn’t aware of the Ryan & Robin Elephant Fund. I’m not exaggerating when I say that it meant the world to us and has continued to do so. We were given many precious mementos, but some that stand out are the “I Remember” memorial bracelets, the stuffed elephant and the baby powder scented votive candle. My husband wore his “I Remember” memorial bracelet until it literally fell off. Our elephant has always held Baby Francis’s urn in its arms, symbolizing the constant protection and love we wanted to give him. Every year, as a now family of four on Earth, on Baby Francis’s heavenly birthday, we light our candle for a few minutes to honor and celebrate him. My oldest son was only a year and a half when Baby Francis was born, and my daughter wasn’t born until August 2016. Our gifts from the Ryan & Robin Elephant Fund have given us something tangible to help ensure our children never forget him and to help our family continue to honor and celebrate him.”

    -  Elizabeth Francis, Clinical Informatics Nurse, IT Development