October 15 is recognized as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day – an important acknowledgment of the trauma that thousands of Canadians endure, often in silence. More than 1,800 infants die in their first year of life and close to 3,000 babies are stillborn every year in Canada. No statistical records exist for miscarriages, but it is estimated that 1 in 4 pregnancies end in loss.
Community support is incredibly important after such tragic losses. Each October Canadians come together to break the silence surrounding this difficult topic. Hundreds of bereaved parents and their families and friends join the 21 Walk to Remember events in 8 Canadian provinces to remember and honor their deeply missed children. In support of the awareness day landmarks across the country illuminate in pink and blue to set a visible sign in support of families and to shine a light for the little ones.
“People will ask, how does one get over the loss of a baby. My answer is, you don’t. There is no excitement of the first steps, or first day of kindergarden. No celebration of school graduation or their wedding day. It is a lifetime of memories we do not get to make, but that serve as a constant reminder of the void left in our lives.” – Joel Neufeld
“Support can be quiet, comfort can come from far away or close to home but the most important thing everyone did for us was letting us know we weren’t alone.” – Tina Benjamin
“One of the most wonderful things that our friends and family do is talk about our daughter Lily. They are not afraid to say her name or bring her up. It acknowledges that I am her mommy, that she did exist and that she made an impact in the short amount of time she shared with us. The one thing I always worry about is that she will be forgotten.” – Karla Tancock
Everyone is invited to show their support by lighting a candle on October 15 at 7pm local time to participate in the International Wave of Light. This world-wide community activity will create a continuous wave of light going around the globe to remember all babies gone too soon.
To find an event near you please check the event directory at http://www.october15.ca/category/events/
