Most people know the month of October to be National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but did you know the month of October has also been officially declared National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month?
In remembrance of Hailey and in support of all those who have also lost their babies... here's what I'm doing:
October 15th is Pregnancy & Infant Loss Remembrance Day
1. Project Sweet Peas Memorial Balloon Release
I am proud to be one of the Project Sweet Peas local leaders holding a memorial balloon release where I live. I will be writing the names of babies lost due to miscarriage, stillbirth, and infant death on balloons and releasing them. Names can be submitted online on the wall of our Facebook event page or by emailing info@projectsweetpeas.com. These names will be randomly divided amongst the project leaders participating. I will be releasing some of the balloons from the list as well as any balloons that friends, family, or local community members request I personally release here in Alabama. I will be releasing the balloons with the names given to me on Pregnancy & Infant Loss Remembrance Day, October 15th at 4:30pm at the Enterprise Recreation Park on the bridge that goes over the pond. It is free to submit a name and have a balloon released (submission ends Oct. 10th).
2. Walk to Remember
Josh and I will be participating in an event held on October 16th by Empty Arms Infant Loss Support Group of Dothan called "Walk to Remember." There will be a ½ mile walk, memorial service with the reading of each baby's name, and we will be able to release a butterfly for Hailey (I'm very excited about this part).
3. Faces of Loss, Faces of Hope
As I mentioned in my last post, I shared my face and story of loss on this organization's website, and they will be publishing my face and story of hope soon.
4. I am the Face
I AM THE FACE is a national movement whose goal is to raise $2,000 for the 2,000 women who lose a baby every day and to put a 'face' to the issue of infant loss. Their goal is to not only raise the money but have 2,000 women submit their face of loss. They also have a section on their website called "Gone Too Soon" that lists each baby's name submitted by the faces of loss. I've submitted my picture and Hailey's name. Their $2,000 will support the organization above.
What can you do to raise awareness and support those who have experienced the tragedy of losing a baby?
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ReplyDeleteSo I stumbled on your blog from Faces of Loss. I lost my daughter in April 2010. I am wondering if you know if there is a chapter of PSP in Central Ohio. If not, I would be VERY interested in helping. I am also part of a non profit group called Back in His Arms Again that helps raise awareness in hospitals on how to deal with grieving parents and also helps fund the costs of funerals for families that were not prepared for the cost of funeral expenses and headstones.
ReplyDeleteI have a lot of connections in the local hospitals (my sister is a NICU nurse) and I would like to help participate in this amazing program. please send me any information to get involved. like you said, I think it could really be healing for my heart.
Thank you,
Erin Foster
oh, by the way, i am also a fellow military wife:-) and i wear my own combat boots:-)
ReplyDeleteI'm def glad that we have this month of awareness and a day to remember!!
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