Rebecca Carlson of St. Albert has entered her nine-month-old daughter, Murphy, in the international Baby of the Year competition, a high-profile fundraiser that supports the U.S.-based non-profit Baby2Baby.
Local baby, global contest
The contest — now in its third year — has grown into a major fundraising vehicle for Baby2Baby, which distributes diapers, clothing and other essentials to babies across the United States. Organisers say the event has raised about $45.1 million to date and features celebrities as ambassadors. Past names associated with the campaign include Jessica Alba, Paris Hilton and Jenna Dewan.
Carlson said she found the contest on social media and submitted Murphy’s entry on a whim. Last week she learned the entry had been accepted. Murphy, now nine months old, will compete against tens of thousands of other entrants for the title and prizes.
“I think the chances are slim that she’ll actually win, but it’s just exciting participating in it,”
The contest is open to citizens and permanent residents of Canada and the United States — excluding Quebec — who are under 24 months of age, according to the competition’s rules. Voting proceeds in rounds; website voters can cast a free vote once per day, and may buy additional votes through donations to Baby2Baby. The top candidates advance through multiple rounds, and organisers plan to name the winner by Dec. 5, 2026. The winner receives $25,000, a feature in Variety magazine and a national ad campaign for The Honest Company.
Birth and early scare at local hospitals
Murphy was born by C-section at about 6 a.m. on Nov. 19, 2025 at Sturgeon Community Hospital. Her early moments were dramatic: medical staff discovered an obstruction when they attempted to clear her airway, and she was quickly transferred to the Stollery Children’s Hospital in Edmonton for further care.
“They knew immediately something was wrong,”
The brief account of that emergency came from Murphy’s grandmother, Leslie Whitney. The family’s experience highlights the role St. Albert and Edmonton hospitals play in neonatal care for the region.
What the contest means for St. Albert
For St. Albert, the entry offers modest but clear local interest: a homegrown infant could bring positive attention to the community while the family participates in a charitable campaign that has already mobilized millions. The contest’s voting structure — daily free votes and paid votes tied to donations — means supporters in St. Albert and beyond can back Murphy without leaving the city.
That attention can intersect with the city’s health services in a practical way. The transfer to the Stollery underscores the reliance of local hospitals on regional tertiary care facilities. Residents who followed the story when Murphy was born will remember the chain of care that moved a newborn from Sturgeon Community Hospital to Edmonton for specialised treatment.
- Contest fundraising so far: $45.1 million
- Winner announced: Dec. 5, 2026
- Top prize: $25,000
- Eligibility: citizens/permanent residents of Canada (excluding Quebec) and the U.S., under 24 months
- Voting: one free vote per day; additional votes via donations
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Fundraising to date | $45.1 million |
| Prize | $25,000 plus magazine and ad campaign |
| Winner announced | Dec. 5, 2026 |
For the Carlson family, the entry is partly a piece of fun and partly a chance to be part of a cause that helps children in need. For St. Albert readers, it’s a reminder of how ordinary local stories can connect to larger national and international movements — whether through healthcare, community pride or charitable giving.
As the voting rounds proceed in the coming months, supporters can follow the contest and cast votes to help Murphy advance. Regardless of the final result, the family’s decision to enter has already tied a St. Albert newborn to a campaign that has delivered millions in aid to families elsewhere.
