Before we get started with today's show, we want to take a moment to dedicate this episode to someone very special. Emma, Sharon's granddaughter and the daughter of today's guest co-host Michelle, was born prematurely and spent her short life in the NICU. She passed away just three days after she was born. Today's episode is released on Emma's birthday and we're honored to share it in her memory.

Our guest today is a mother and former labor and delivery nurse who has become an incredible entrepreneur. Ashley Crafton joins us to share the incredible story behind her startup, Galena Innovations, and the development of the Hannah Cervical Cup, a device designed to help prevent spontaneous preterm birth.

Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode:

🛠️ How Ashley built a life-saving device from a nurse’s heartbreak
✈️ Stories from war zones: evacuating pregnant women in Afghanistan and Ukraine
🧬 The science of cervical tissue and the Hannah Cup breakthrough
💪 Why nurses and moms are perfect innovators and what holds them back

🎗 Beyond the Mask is honored to once again sponsor a team for the HALOS Memorial Walk on August 2nd. HALOS is a nonprofit offering hope and healing to families who’ve lost a child, including Sharon when she lost her granddaughter, Emma. This powerful organization is run by parents who truly understand. To join our team or donate, visit the support page here: https://www.givemn.org/story/Boi21g 💛

About our guest: https://www.galenainnovations.com/

Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/

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091: Five ways to deal with overwhelm

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