The Eric Elliott Memorial Scholarship
Fund
Making comprehensive support & compassionate care more accessible by nurturing professional expertise, strengthening communities, and removing financial barriers.
The Eric Elliott Memorial Scholarship Fund was established in 2024 by Eric's parents, Ryan and Amanda, and his grandmother, Tammy Elliott, in collaboration with Home Hospice Association. By providing training opportunities in Infant and Pregnancy Loss Support, the fund aims to increase the number of trained professionals capable of offering compassionate care to individuals affected by the devastating loss of a pregnancy or infant.
MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND
THE ERIC ELLIOTT
Learn about our eligibility criteria and start your Eric Elliott Scholarship application here.
THE ERIC ELLIOTT
MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND
The generosity of our donors allows us to help grow vital resources in communities across Canada.
Eric in his "Baby Yoda" jogging suit
Eric's Story
May 31, 2021 - August 28, 2022
Eric was just shy of 15 months old when he left this earth. He lived each moment of his very short life to the fullest. With an infectious happiness, insatiable curiosity, and boundless energy, he could make anyone smile, even on their darkest days. Eric adored snuggles and was always eager to share them. His animated facial expressions beautifully captured his equally vibrant personality. He loved playing with his older siblings Owen and Avaya, cherishing their attention and companionship.
Tragically, on August 28, 2022, Eric lost his life in a drowning accident in his family's backyard pool. Despite immediate CPR efforts, he could not be revived and died at the hospital. Committed to honouring his memory forever, Eric's parents, Ryan and Amanda, together with Ryan’s mother, Tammy Elliott - a cherished member of HHA’s Death Doula Community and Board of Directors - find solace in enhancing Eric’s legacy through this scholarship.
Shedding a Light on Grief
How Eric's Scholarship Helps
For Eric's family, an essential part of their son's legacy is not only raising awareness about the critical issue of water safety but also shedding light on the grief process. They understand firsthand the devastating impact of sudden child loss, in their case, to drowning - a tragedy that occurs silently and within seconds.
Following Eric’s tragic accident, the Elliotts discovered the alarmingly high rates of child drownings in Canada, especially in residential or public swimming pools, where the majority of these incidents happen, primarily affecting infants and children up to 9 years old. By sharing their story, they hope to prevent future drowning-related deaths and help other families navigate their own grief journey, regardless of the cause.
Eric’s parents recognize the importance of receiving support from someone who has meaningful knowledge of the grief process and can offer guidance through such traumatic experiences. Through the scholarship fund, the Elliott family aims to enable dedicated individuals to serve as these compassionate companions for grieving parents and families, providing the vital support they desperately need.
Why is it important to train Infant & Pregnancy Loss professionals?
Some experiences, like the pain of losing a child, are so profound and heart-wrenching that they defy understanding until they touch our own lives or those of our loved ones. This type of tragedy leaves parents and families to grapple with a new nightmarish reality from which they cannot awaken.
Amid this devastation, the power of compassionate care offers a glimmer of hope. At HHA, we've witnessed how support and compassion can impact lives in the face of unimaginable loss. We understand the urgent need for every community to have access to comprehensively trained professionals who can assist individuals and families navigating the loss of an infant or pregnancy.
This is the inspiration and driving force behind our Infant & Pregnancy Loss Support Certificate Program. More than just a course, it is a lifeline for those in need of support, equipping individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to walk alongside those enduring these excruciating losses.
Learn more about our Infant & Pregnancy Loss Support Certificate Program.
Your donation matters
Your support makes a meaningful difference in the lives of those who have experienced the loss of an infant or pregnancy. With your generosity, we can cover program tuition fees, enabling participants the comprehensive training required to provide crucial emotional, spiritual, and practical support to bereaved families.
The Infant & Pregnancy Loss Support Certificate Program costs $700.00 CAD, covering the full tuition for one program participant. We are incredibly grateful for any amount of financial support that you can contribute. Whether you subsidize an entire tuition or contribute towards the scholarship fund in any amount, each dollar helps to connect a grieving family with a professional who can support them.
All donations to the Scholarship Fund are tax deductible.
Why do we have a scholarship fund?
Formerly the Infant & Pregnancy Loss Doula Scholarship, the Eric Elliott Memorial Scholarship Fund honours Eric's legacy and our commitment to supporting bereaved parents and families.
Many misunderstand the journey of grief and loss. Conversations with Eric's family highlighted more than ever the critical need for support services in the area of infant and pregnancy loss and the shortage of trained professionals able to provide this kind of support. The Eric Elliott Memorial Scholarship Fund seeks to bridge this gap in care by enhancing access to training for dedicated individuals.
Our Scholarship Fund Sponsors
We are incredibly grateful to Steadman Brothers Funeral Chapels and Battery Boy, the Flagship Sponsors of the Eric Elliott Memorial Scholarship.
Steadman Brothers Funeral Chapels, the oldest family-run funeral home in Lambton County, delivered a beautiful service for Eric in 2022 and showed exceptional kindness to the Elliott family. Their generous donation to the scholarship fund further demonstrates their commitment to community care and support.
Battery Boy has been serving Chatham-Kent for over 30 years, providing batteries for a wide range of products. Their commitment extends beyond quality products and service - they actively support community well-being through contributions to Chatham-Kent Hospice, Goodfellow, and numerous other local charities. As a proudly family-owned business, they truly take care of both family and community.