Tara Coombs (@tara_coombs) is an influencer, mom and artist from Kentucky who has built a following on TikTok by making memory blankets for parents whose kids have passed away.
Parents send Coombs a box that contains information about the child, as well as the child’s clothes. Coombs then creates the memory blankets using the clothes, providing a source of warmth and comfort that parents can hold onto forever.
@tara_coombs @sandyvanderzwangrillo #boxopenig #childloss #greif #boymom #cancer #childhoodcancer #MoreThan4 #tagyourfavoritetiktoker #fyp #inmyfeelings
♬ ghost town voice memo (full version out now) – chloe george
In some cases, Coombs goes above and beyond to provide parents with emotional reminders of their children. For this blanket, Coombs sprayed the fabric with the child’s favorite shampoo, so that the parents could remember what their child used to smell like.
Unfortunately, Coombs knows firsthand how tough it is for parents to go through periods of hardship and tragedy. When Coombs’ son Owen was 3, he was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, Coombs told Today. Thankfully, Owen is now in remission, but Coombs still knows how important it is to support parents who are going through similar, or worse, situations.
That’s why Coombs is working so hard to not only create the memory blankets but also to spread the word about her project so it can reach as many people as possible.
Coombs posted an introductory video explaining her project, and the clip has logged more than 5.9 million views. The viral TikTok led to an “overwhelming” amount of support, according to Coombs, and the comments section alone proves just how important Coombs’ work is.
“From the bottom of my heart, thank you. Grief is so difficult. I’m so happy humans like you exist,” wrote one thankful TikTok user.
“This is an incredible act of generosity for people experiencing profound grief. What you do is a gift. Thank you,” read a comment from the TikTok account for the charity group Giving Tuesday.
Making memory blankets can be challenging, both physically and emotionally, but Coombs has no plans on pumping the breaks. “I will not give up. I will not back down. I will not stop,” Coombs wrote in one of her videos.
Coombs makes her blankets for free, but she does accept donations and sponsorships. Click on this link for more information on how to support this heartwarming cause.
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