October 15, 2015 has been proclaimed as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day by several provincial governments and municipalities in Canada. Everyone is invited to show their support by lighting a candle at 7pm local time to participate in the International Wave of Light. This community activity will create a continuous wave of light going around the world to remember all babies gone too soon.
The awareness day helps to raise awareness about miscarriage, stillbirth and the death of infants during delivery or shortly after birth – issues that affect thousands of families across the country. Each year more than 2,500 babies are stillborn and more than 1,700 infants do not get to celebrate their first birthday in Canada. The number of early losses is not statistically tracked, but estimated to be in the thousands. The death of a baby is a devastating tragedy that profoundly affects parents, grandparents, siblings and other family members.
Residents of Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary, Whistler, Fort Erie and Niagara Falls will be able to view local landmarks illuminated in the colours of the day – pink and blue. Several other cities host Walks to Remember in the weeks leading up to October 15 as well as the week after. Please view the event listing to check if any local events are offered in your area: www.october15.ca/category/events/
If you wish to support bereaved parents, please consider a donation to the Canadian Cooling Cot Campaign. The campaign raises funds to support Canadian hospitals with special cots that help cool a deceased body to allow parents more time with their precious child. Canadian families have raised more than $60,000 already and donated 20 such cots to hospitals.
www.october15.ca/canadian-cooling-cot-campaign/
Requests for interviews with bereaved parents can be directed to info@october15.ca
