October is International SIDS, Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month (and also Breast Cancer Awareness Month). This article will shine a light on the history and meaning for our community, and provide a resource of events and projects you can take part, if you wish, to make this month meaningful for you. It will also offer a list of ways you can support yourself.
History
According to Wikipedia, the Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Movement began in the United States in 1987. On October 25, 1988, American President Ronald Reagan designated the entire month of October 1988 as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. (Read more about the history here.)
In 2007, Congressman Tom Latham of Iowa introduced a House Resolution supporting the Goals and Ideals of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day, October 15th, and called on the President of the United States to issue a proclamation encouraging the American people to honor this special day of remembrance.
Related: Holding Space During Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month
October 15th and the Wave of Light
On October 15th, now called Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day (PAILRD), at 7:00 pm in all time zones, families around the world will light candles (and leave the candle burning for at least an hour) in memory all of the precious babies who have been lost during pregnancy or in infancy. Too many families grieve in silence, sometimes never coming to terms with their loss.
If you or someone you know has suffered a miscarriage, stillbirth or infant loss due to SIDS/SUID, prematurity or other cause, we hope you will join us in this national tribute to create awareness of these tragic infant deaths and provide support to those that are suffering.
Contributors of the Still Standing community have a number of events planned, check out their specific pages:
- Capture Your Grief by Carly Marie from Project Heal, all through October
- The Grieving Parents Support Network, founded by author Nathalie Himmelrich, offers free community peer support all through October in the new May We All Heal Group. Please join here.
- A Memory Grows by DeAndrea Dare invites you to the Dallas/Fort Worth Wave of Light on October 15th to remember your babies on Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day. For more information about the three locations and for registration please visit: http://amemorygrows.org/event/public-wave-light/
Related: It’s Time We Start The Conversation On Pregnancy And Infant Loss
Events around the globe:
In order to find events near you check your local support organisation’s website or event board or search on google.
AUSTRALIA
- Australia, various states – organized by Bears of Hope
Remembrance Walk
For more details check their website, click here. - Adelaide, South Australia – organized by Sands South Australia
Candle Lighting Ceremony
Church of the Trinity, 318 Goodwood Road, Clarence Gardens
6.30 pm (date not mentioned but please email servicessa@sands.org.au for more information)
(Australian CST) - Adelaide, South Australia – organized by Sands South Australia
Walk to Remember: take steps our babies could not take
Bonython Park Playground, Port Road, Thebarton. Thorndon Park Reserve, Paradise, Adelaide
October 7th, 11.30am (Australian CST) near the Kiosk
UNITED KINGDOM
- Plymouth, Devon, UK – organized by Little Things & Co.
Wave of Light
October 15th, 6pm CET
Click here for the event page on FB.
UNITED STATES
- St. Charles, Missouri – organized by Share, Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support
Share Walk
October 20th, 9.30am CDT
Click here for more info. - Indianapolis, Indiana
Walk To Remember – organized by Franciscan Health
October 13th, 9.30am CTZ
Click here for more info.
CANADA
- Barrie, Ontario – organized by Bridget’s Bunnies
Bridget’s Run (for Pregnancy and Infant Loss)
October 20, 9am EST
Click here for the event page on FB.
Please add any of the events near you in a comment.
Make sure to mention
– Place, city, state, country
– What it is, i.e. remembrance walk
– Date, time and time zone
– A link where someone could find more information
Thank you all for your support of one another.
Image by Nathalie Himmelrich, Grieving Parents Support Network
Nathalie Himmelrich the author of a number of resource books for bereaved parents. As a relationship coach, grief recovery expert and bereaved mother herself she believes that relationships (intimate and to other support people) are the foundation for a healthy grieving experience. She is also the founder of the Grieving Parents Support (GPS) Network and the May We All Heal peer support group.
Find Nathalie’s books here: Nathalie Himmelrich or the Grieving Parents Support Network here: Grieving Parents
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