When the call went out for handmade purple hats to help raise awareness of Shaken Baby Syndrome, the injury prevention team at Children’s had hoped to collect 1,500 knitted hats.  Well, knitters from London and beyond  – did  not disappoint.  In fact, more than 5,200 knit and crochet purple hats were received by the Trauma Program.

Denise Polgar, injury prevention specialist at Children’s Hospital was amazed by the outpouring of support. 

"I am absolutely overwhelmed by our community’s response to this important initiative,” says Polgar. “It could not have happened without the support of the SouthWest Shaken Baby Syndrome Prevention Working Group, Maternal Newborn Child and Youth Network, Children’s Health Foundation, Middlesex-London Health Unit, our hospital volunteers and staff and of course, the community.”

The knitted caps will be given to parents and caregivers of newborns, in support of The Period of PURPLE Crying® program, which provides important information to parents and caregivers regarding infant crying patterns and comforting strategies, and education on Shaken Baby Syndrome.