Shae’s story
“Our second daughter Shae was born with multiple cognitive delays and complex medical issues. She spent almost 6 months in Children’s Hospital where she underwent a dozen surgeries and procedures. She fought for her life. Our hearts were broken and our lives turned upside down. One of the most important things we could do for her was to hold her. She needed constant comfort.
Because we were long-term inpatients, we saw so many miracles and also death and pain. One of the saddest things to see and hear were babies alone in their cribs while parents had to work, care for other children, or were absent out of neglect. We tried to never leave Shae alone but at times we had no choice. On a few of those occasions I walked into Shae's room to find the most precious sight. An elderly man who was a volunteer cuddler rocking my baby so she wasn't alone. I will never forget that man that I do not know.
Children's Hospital of Los Angeles is a miraculous place and the staff is incredible. However, there are not enough staff or volunteers to hold every baby that is alone. I saw one to two cuddlers a few days a week on the floor where we spent most of our time. It was not nearly enough for the number of babies that were there and that was just one floor of the hospital. Our lives have been forever changed. Because of what we witnessed and experienced we said we would work to change this unmet need. This is our mission, that Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, and someday every hospital serving children with life-threatening illnesses, would be permanently changed through the abundance of a corps of volunteers dedicated to hold and give comfort all day, every day.”
- Ciera and Dan Granger
About Ciera Granger
Ciera Granger is a wife, mother, and leader of the Koala Corps. She is an artist and loves cooking, hosting friends and teaching barre classes. She loves being a stay-at-home mom and homemaker. Being a mom didn’t come easy for her, and she and her husband, Dan, faced overwhelming difficulties when their second daughter was born with multiple disabilities and life-threatening health issues. Ciera and Dan fought alongside Shae as she clung to life at Children’s Hospital of LA for almost six months after she was born in 2006. Their experience caring for their now twelve-year old daughter forever changed their family, and now the Grangers want to help other families at CHLA who are going through similar painful difficulties with their children. That’s why they are dedicated to helping Children’s Hospital get the funding they need through the Koala Corps. Achieving their funding goal will ensure that every baby is held when their families cannot be there. This mission comes from their firsthand knowledge of how important and great this need is.
About CHLA
About Oxford Road
Oxford Road is a leading ad agency in Los Angeles that works with some of the world’s most coveted brands, developing campaigns for Podcasts, Radio, and TV. Among their values is “The Golden Rule” which is why they are committed to consistently donating thousands of dollars to the Koala Corps and increasing that donation amount based on how well their ads perform for clients. The better their ads work, the more they give.
Dan Granger, Founder and CEO of Oxford Road, has seen the difference that Children’s Hospital makes in the lives of families in their community firsthand. While he’s proud of the work done by Oxford Road and the contribution they are able to make to the Koala Corps, his greater purpose comes from being the husband of Ciera and father to daughters, Gianna and Shae.