The anticipated arrival of a child is one of life’s greatest gifts. Sometimes, however, pregnancy or childbirth can be overshadowed by unexpected events—uncertain and turbulent moments. In those times, the empathy and compassion of healthcare teams make all the difference in the journey of expectant parents.
It is September 2, 2024. Sara Marcotte is 39 weeks pregnant. With her partner, Ricky Sharma, she goes to the Montréal Sacré-Coeur Hospital for a final routine check-up before the delivery that was scheduled for two days later. The pregnancy had gone smoothly up to that point, with attentive care from Dr. Hélène Flamand, an experienced, skilled, and warm obstetrician.
Yet a tragic event would occur—one that would forever bind Sara and Ricky to Sacré-Cœur.
A guiding light in the midst of a nightmare
That morning, Sara and Ricky receive devastating news. It concerns the tiny heart of their baby, Lily-Rose. It has stopped beating.
Despite everything, Sara has no choice but to give birth. Fortunately, the medical team is there to support the couple as they are overwhelmed by a wave of emotions: shock, grief, confusion, and the deep emptiness left by the loss of their “little one,” already so loved before she was even born. “The nurses, Dr. Flamand—everyone was incredible. We were truly well supported. The entire team treated us with love and dignity. We went through this part of our journey better equipped. It created a lifelong bond with Sacré-Cœur,” Sara recalls, her voice trembling with emotion.
Sara and Ricky remember those who offered them support and comfort, for which they remain deeply grateful. With empathy and compassion, the medical team provided thoughtful gestures that the parents will cherish forever. They were able to bring home photos and keepsakes of Lily-Rose—small treasures that mean the world to them.
An Exceptional Doctor
Dr. Hélène Flamand, a family physician, provided prenatal care and delivered the vast majority of her patients’ babies at Sacré-Cœur Hospital. She supported Sara and Ricky throughout their journey—first during the pregnancy, then through the arduous delivery, and finally during their grieving process. “This woman was extraordinary and incredible. We felt, and still feel, a very deep connection to Dr. Flamand,” Sara shares emotionally..
Note: It is with deep sadness that we learned of the passing of Dr. Hélène Flamand on December 29, 2025. The Foundation wishes to extend its most sincere condolences to her family.
“Lily-Rose is gone, but she will never be forgotten”
After a few weeks—once they had begun to process the shock—Sara and Ricky launched a fundraising campaign in loving tribute to their daughter. The initiative supports the Family Birthing Centre at the Montréal Sacré-Coeur Hospital (formerly known as the Mother-Child Unit) and its care teams. The couple wants Lily-Rose’s memory to live on through acts of love and generosity—gestures that truly make a difference for families experiencing difficult pregnancies or tragic events like theirs.
“This initiative also aims to recognize that people going through perinatal loss need support, like the kind we received at Sacré-Cœur. Even though Lily-Rose is no longer physically with us, her memory continues to have an impact—for us and for the entire community served by Sacré-Cœur,” Ricky explains.
The fundraising campaign has been a remarkable success. In 2025, more than $16,000 was raised—far exceeding the initial goal of $5,000. These funds enabled the Family Birthing Centre to acquire equipment to help caregivers provide the best possible care to every family. Now in its second consecutive year, the initiative has already raised over $22,000 in just three months.
The couple hopes this fundraiser will become an annual initiative—one that serves as a reminder that acts of generosity can spark hope even in the midst of pain and upheaval.
Click here to learn more about Sara and Ricky’s initiative and to give.
A new beginning
For a parent, losing a child is one of the most devastating experiences imaginable. Finding hope and moving forward can feel nearly impossible in the face of such profound loss. For Sara and Ricky, it was the way they were cared for by the Family Birthing Centre team—beginning from the moment of Lily-Rose’s passing—that gave them the strength and tools to navigate their grief and eventually consider a second pregnancy.
And life did offer them a new beginning. Lily-Rose’s little sister, Olivia, was born in October 2025. The pregnancy was not easy for Sara and Ricky. After what had happened just over a year earlier, they were understandably anxious, fearful—even frightened. Dr. Sonia Gagnon, also at Sacré-Cœur, followed and supported them with great sensitivity. She understood what they had been through—their emotions, their doubts, the questions that arose as soon as they learned Sara was pregnant again. She knew how to reassure them.
Sara and Ricky continue to take meaningful actions to honor Lily-Rose. Although their pain will never fully fade, they are certain that their daughter’s memory has sparked a powerful wave of love—one that will live on forever.