Kennedy’s Koalas was founded by twin sisters Finley and Emersyn Cross with one simple goal: to help children who are grieving the loss of an unborn sibling feel less alone.
Before Finley and Emersyn were born, their family experienced the heartbreaking loss of their sister, Kennedy. On January 7, 2007, just three days before her due date, Kennedy passed away due to a heart valve condition that interrupted the flow of oxygenated blood to her body.
As Finley and Emersyn grew older, they learned about their sister Kennedy and the lasting impact her loss had on their family. Over time, they began to recognize something deeply important — when a baby is lost during pregnancy or before birth, siblings experience grief too. Children may not always fully understand that loss, but they still feel the absence, the sadness, and the change within their family.
At sixteen years old, Finley and Emersyn created Kennedy’s Koalas as a way to bring comfort, compassion, and connection to children walking through similar grief.
Through the gift of a stuffed koala, they hope to remind grieving children that they are seen, supported, loved, and never alone.
Every koala shared is sent in memory of Kennedy and in honor of every child and family navigating the difficult journey of sibling loss.