The creation of Jaylyn's children's care kits took more than three years and involved collaboration between the teams at South Country Co-op and Medicine Hat and District Health Foundation, as well as Jaylyn's family. Pictured above (left to right) Paul Haynes, CEO of South Country Co-op Limited; Carmen Hudson; Bruce Layton; Holly Layton; Rebecca Eldridge, manager of neonatal and pediatrics at MHRH; Bill Ressler, South Country Co-op Limited board of director and Valerie Verge.--NEWS PHOTO KENDALL KING
kking@medicinehatnews.com
Pediatric inpatients at Medicine Hat Regional Hospital were gifted comfort kits Friday, in memory of Jaylyn Layton, a Medicine Hat teen who passed away in 2014 following a courageous battle with cancer.
Three-hundred comfort kits were donated by South Country Co-op in partnership with Jaylyn’s family. The kits include a duffle bag with Jaylyn’s signature on it, a teddy bear wearing an orange shirt – Jaylyn’s favourite colour – a colouring book and crayons, a blanket and a card with information about Jaylyn and the comfort kits.
Carmen Hudson, director of marketing and community relations with South Country Co-op, was one of the main comfort kit organizers.
“We decided as a group that we wanted to do something,” Hudson told the News. “When Jaylyn was in the hospital there were things which were missing – comfort things. So, we created these bags as a legacy for Jaylyn … and we filled them with comforts; things to keep the kids happy and comfortable in the hospital.
“I really just feel this speaks for our values. It’s what a Co-op is really truly about; about making people feel safe and comfortable in their own communities and making a difference in their lives.”
Much of the funding for the comfort kits was collected through South Country Co-op’s little book exchange, located in the 13th Avenue mall.
“It’s not just South Country which can take credit for this,” said Hudson, “it’s all of our members and guests who donate to the book exchange fund. That money is all special marked for (local) pediatrics.”
Valerie Verge, major gift co-ordinator with the Medicine Hat and District Health Foundation, is thankful for the donation and believes it will make a difference to children staying in hospital.
“The fabulous thing is with 300 of these, it’s going to last quite a while,” Verge told the News. “Every pediatric patient who’s admitted is going to have the benefit of having one of those bags to help them be comfortable while in hospital. It’s going to make such a difference.”
Jaylyn’s parents are honoured their daughter is being remembered in such a manner, particularly as the care kits donated in her name will benefit patients and families who are going through what the Laytons once did.
“When you’re in the hospital it’s cold and you just want something of home to be there,” Jaylyn’s mother, Holly Layton, said.
“We’re just fortunate with South Country Co-op doing this,” said Jaylyn’s father, Bruce Layton. “It’s a great honour to have her name representing them and giving comfort to those kids coming through (the hospital). It’s a challenge for their families as well, so it’s a nice gesture.”
Though it’s been eight years since her passing, Jaylyn is very much present in the minds of those who loved her.
“Jaylyn was a very strong, unique individual. She was a beacon of hope and a bright light for us and the family,” Bruce said.
