Most of you know that 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.
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.
Events around the globe:
AUSTRALIA
Visit the website of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Australia to find events in Australia via the drop-down menu.
http://15october.com.au/
Adelaide, South Australia – organized by Sands South Australia
Candle Lighting Ceremony
Prospect, Adelaide
October 11th, 7-8:30pm (Australian CST)
Click here for the event page on FB.
Adelaide, South Australia – organized by Sands South Australia
Walk to Remember: take steps our babies could not take
Thorndon Park Reserve, Paradise, Adelaide
October 16th, 10:30am (Australian CST)
Click here for the event page on FB.
Central Coast, New South Wales – organized by Bears of Hope
Remembrance Walk
October 15th, 2pm (Australian EST)
For more details click here.
Muswellbrook, New South Wales – organized by the Anglican Parish of Muswellbrook
Wave of Light, Garden of Innocents, Muswellbrook Lawn Cemetery
October 15th, 6.45pm (Australian EST)
North Ryde, New South Wales – organized by Bears of Hope
Memorial Day at Eden Gardens
Please send your RSVP to social@bearsofhope.org.au
Hobart, Tasmania – organized by Bears of Hope
October 15th, 11am (Australian EST)
For more details click here.
Brisbane, Queensland – organized by Sands Queensland
Walk to Remember
October 16th, 10am
Click here to view details.
UNITED KINGDOM
Ulverston, UK – organized by Tigerlily Trust
Remembrance Celebration
October 15th, 6.30pm CET
Click here for the event page on FB.
UNITED STATES
Atlanta, Georgia – organized by Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep
Remembrance Walk
October 15th
Click here for more details.
Deshler, Ohio
SGM Day of Remembrance and Hope
October 15th, 9am EDT
Click here for the event page on FB.
Elko, Nevada
Annual Wave of Light
October 15th, 5pm PTZ
Click here for the event page on FB.
Houston, Texas – organized by M.E.N.D
Walk to Remember
October 15th, 1pm CST
Please register here.
Omaha, Nebraska
5 K run/walk
October 15th
Click here for more info.
Santee, California– organized by Empty Cradle
Walk to Remember
October 23rd, 9:30am PTZ
Click here for more details.
Valparaiso, Indiana
Wave of light ceremony
October 15th, 6pm CTZ
Click here for the event page on FB.
CANADA
Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
Pregnancy & Infant Loss Remembrance Day
Art Gallery of Algoma
Includes personal stories, flower petal release, candlelight vigil at 7pm (Wave of Light)
October 15th, 6:30pm (ETZ)
Click here for the event page on FB.
Toronto, Ontario
Reception for Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Day
October 6th, 12noon (ETZ)
Queen’s Park
Click here for the event page on FB
Vancouver, British Columbia
Miscarriage Awareness Month meeting
October 3rd, 7.30pm (PTZ)
Click here for more info.
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.
The post October – Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month 2016 appeared first on Still Standing Magazine.
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