International Wave of Light

 

‘Infant Loss Remembrance Day’

 

October 15

 

Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day is a day of remembrance for pregnancy loss and infant death which includes but is not limited to miscarriage, stillbirth, SIDS, or the death of a newborn. It is observed annually in the United States and Canada on October 15.

 

 

The day is observed with remembrance ceremonies and candle-lighting vigils,

concluding with the International Wave of Light,

a worldwide lighting of candles at 7:00 p.m.

History

The Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Movement began in the United States On October 25, 1988 when former American President Ronald Reagan designated the month of October 1988 as “Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month.

The October 15th Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day (PAILRD) Campaign began in 2002 as an American movement started by Robyn Bear, Lisa Brown, and Tammy Novak. Together, they petitioned the federal government, as well as the governors of each of the 50 states, and by October 15, 2002 (the first observance of PAILRD) 20 states had signed proclamations recognizing the date as such.

As a result of the American campaign effort, Concurrent Resolution H. CON. RES. 222 Supporting the goals and ideals of National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day was passed in the House of Representatives on September 28, 2006.

To date, all 50 states have yearly proclamations, with Arkansas, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, New York, Rhode Island, and South Dakota enacting permanent proclamations.

The Director of the Canadian Pregnancy Loss and Infant Death Awareness and Remembrance Campaign, Terra-Lynn Coggan, joined the American movement in September 2004 and took on the role as the Canadian Director for October 15 Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day and began the Canadian Campaign.

On October 12, 2005 when New Brunswick received official recognition of October 15 Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day Terra-Lynn resigned as the Canadian Director for the American Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Campaign and independently launched The Canadian Pregnancy Loss and Infant Death Awareness and Remembrance Campaigns.

Since New Brunswick’s Declaration of October 15, Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day the province of Nova Scotia has followed suite with a similar declaration. The provinces of Ontario and Manitoba are currently considering a declaration.

 

International Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day

Contrary to the popular belief that Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day is internationally legislated and observed as an international day of remembrance this is not the case.

Through the legislative campaigns of individuals world wide Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day is becoming an international day of observation. Germany and most other non-English speaking countries do not observe this day.

 

American Federal Campaign

As a result of the American campaign effort Concurrent resolution H. CON. RES. 222 Supporting the goals and ideals of National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day was passed in the House of Representatives on September 28, 2006. H. CON. RES. 222 proclaims October 15 of each year to be Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day in the United States.

Canadian Federal Campaign

The Canadian Foundation for October 15, also known as the CFO is the official foundation of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day Canada. The CFO is leading the federal campaign to recognize October 15 as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day Canada.

The goal of the CFO is to obtain an official day of remembrance, October 15 of each year, to ensure that all Canadian families who experience the loss of a child during pregnancy or shortly after birth are given the opportunity to acknowledge their loss, seek support, and honor their child’s memory in an understanding and supportive atmosphere.

The CFO works to promote national and international pregnancy loss and infant death awareness, remembrance, and support enabling the larger community the knowledge and skills required to assist and meet the needs of families who experience pregnancy loss and infant death.

New Brunswick, Canada

New Brunswick is the first province in Canada to officially recognize October 15 as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day.

Through the lobbying efforts of Terra-Lynn Coggan, a Saint John resident with the assistance of Saint John-Champlain MLA Roly MacIntyre, New Brunswick Minister of Health and Wellness, Hon. Elvy Robichaud in a declaration dated October 12, 2005 did declare October 15 to be Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day across the province.

“Miscarriage and infant death are a source of grief, often silent, for mothers, fathers, siblings and grandparents.” To recognize this loss, Hon. Elvy Robichaud, New Brunswick Minister of Health and Wellness declared…

October 15 to be

Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day

He called on provincial residents to help promote “support, education and awareness for grieving parents who have lost infants during pregnancy or shortly after birth.

Ways to Remember … ‘Make Your Baby’s Memory Box

If you were given a memory box at the time of your baby’s death, you have a great start!

You may have your baby’s footprints and other items from your birth center. Add items that hold special meaning. On your baby’s birthdate each year, you can add a “present” or card. You can create your memories all the time!

But if you suffered a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy, like I did with Tre’, you have very little to remember your baby by. Start by choosing a box. Big or small does not matter, but select it and now you can start creating the lasting memories! You may want to decorate your box by painting or wrapping. If you were given cards or books or poetry, add them to your box. I kept the ribbons from a flower arrangement sent to my family, and that ribbon is in my box.

If you are able to join us for the Forget Me Not Walk to Remember, you are going to have a few opportunities to create a memory, a tangible reminder of your baby.

I hope you are able to join us this year and every year!

 

Wave of Light for October 15

Everyone is invited to light a candle at 7 pm on October 15,

ALL time zones, ALL over the world.

 

 

If everyone lights a candle at 7pm

and keeps it burning for one(1) hour,

there will be a continuous

WAVE OF LIGHT

over the entire World – October 15

 

National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day

 

The result is a continuous chain of light spanning the globe for a 24 hour period in honor and remembrance of the children who die during pregnancy or shortly after birth.

 

 

 

A Celebration of Women

sends our love and prayers to all the Women of our World

that lost a child to abortion, miscarriage, stillbirth, SIDS, or any other form of death of a child.

 

May God give you the strength to carry on

and help another Mother.

 

The Story of My Son:

http://loganquinn.blogspot.com/2009/10/oct-15th-pregnancy-and-infant-loss.html

Ways to Remember: Forget Me Not Walk to Remember

http://www.myforgetmenotwalk.org/Site/10_15.html