Our PURPOSE
The Hart Bryant Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to helping families who have experienced the heartbreaking death of a baby from pregnancy through infancy. We provide support through memorial gifts given to grieving families at the hospital, fundraising events for hospital bereavement funds and related charities, events for bereaved families, and comprehensive resources available to all. Our goal is to keep our babies in our hearts, while helping to heal the hearts of their families.
What We Do
Hart's
Hearts
We provide memorial gifts given to families at Northwestern Medicine Prentice Women's Hospital in Chicago after the death of a baby whether it be during pregnancy, in labor & delivery, or after a NICU stay.
Hart's
Birthday
Each year we will host a fundraising event in honor of Hart's birthday which will benefit a cause related to baby loss and/or families in the NICU.
Community Events
We will host periodic events in Chicago for families affected by baby loss. This will include events for young children who are grieving the loss of their baby sibling.
Loss Resources
We have an extensive list of resources available to all those grieving a baby. This includes other charities, support groups, therapists, book recommendations, memorial items, and more.
Hospital
Donations
Through financial donations to bereavement funds at the hospital, as well as donations of items to the NICU on an as-needed basis, we aim to support families at Northwestern Medicine Prentice Women's Hospital.
Hart's Story
Hart Bryant Vangsness was born on October 17, 2024. He was healthy and doing well during labor and delivery until the final moments. He was born unconscious, resuscitated, and rushed to the NICU. Hart was diagnosed with HIE (Hypoxic-Ischaemic Encephalopathy), which is a brain injury from the lack of oxygen at birth. He lived for three weeks in the NICU. Some favorite moments were being held and kissed by his big sister Vale as well as taking him on walks outside of the hospital. During that time, he changed the lives of his family, as well as his team of doctors and nurses. Everyone fell in love with his beautiful face, strength, and sweetness. There were many memories made before he died in our arms on November 7, 2024. He is loved and missed immensely. He touched the hearts of so many, while also influencing the hospital greatly. Hart made a real impact in his short life, and he is continuing to make an impact now.
