Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day – OCT 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.

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, this day of memorial is becoming an international day of observation. Germany and most other non-English speaking countries do not observe this day.

It is observed annually in the United States and Canada and, in recent years, in the United Kingdom and in the Australian State of New South Wales, on October 15.

As a result of the American campaign effort, Concurrent Resolution 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. House Concurrent Resolution 222 proclaims October 15 of each year to be Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day in the United States.

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.

History

The Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Movement began in the United States on October 25, 1988 when then-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 American 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.

The Organizer of Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness “A Walk To Remember” in Vernon, BC Canada Jennifer Patrick started her fundraiser campaign in October 2004 after the Stillbirth of her son Connor. In October 2005 Jennifer worked with the Attorney General to help get a Proclamation approved. October is now declared as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month in British Columbia, Canada.

On October 12, 2005, when New Brunswick received official recognition of October 15 Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day, Coggan 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 suit with a similar declaration. The provinces of Ontario and Manitoba are currently considering a declaration.

The campaign for Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day in Australia began in May 2008 when Nicole Ballinger of the State of New South Wales (NSW) approached her State and Federal MPs to request their help in establishing this Day. Although aiming for a nationwide declaration, Mrs Ballinger took this two-pronged approach as she had been advised that federal motions often get passed once they are first passed at the State level. Guided by her MPs, Joanna Gash (Federal) and Shelley Hancock (State), Mrs Ballinger lobbied both levels of government beginning in 2008: utilizing petitions, the internet and social media, and repeated correspondence with Australian Prime Ministers, NSW Premiers, Health Ministers, Senators and other MPs. In support, Mrs Gash and Mrs Hancock continued to present this motion in parliament at the State and Federal levels.

On October 14, 2011, Mrs Hancock and NSW Health Minister Gillian Skinner announced the official declaration of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day in NSW.

To date, Mrs Ballinger continues to lobby the Australian government with the support of Joanna Gash, to get Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day officially declared across Australia.

 

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.
 

A Celebration of Women™ lights our candles for Baby Eathan, lost to heart failure at 21 weeks on August 11, 2012.

“His death was completely unexpected. The pain was unimaginable and unbelievably cruel.

How could it really be that he would pass before me?

How could it be that I would have to bury him and say goodbye to my first born precious boy?”

“I felt like a zombie for a long time, wandering around aimlessly and not caring or thinking that I could or would endue the tragedy. But endure I did, and badly though.”

Parents Grief Book

New book for parents that have lost a child. Marilyn’s story is one of hope for other parents that have suffered the loss of their child. She writes about how she and Robb grew up together, how they shared their lives together and how she went through his death and the eventually healing and acceptance of it. It’s a mothers memoir and it is her hope that it will ease the pain of other parents that have or are going through the same loss. Published in 2009. 100% money back guarantee. Paperback.

The International Wave of Light invites participants from around the world to light a candle in honor of PAILRD, starting at 1900 hours on October 15 in their respective time zones, and to leave the candle burning for at least an hour.

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.

TAKE ACTION – LIGHT YOUR CANDLE AT 7 PM TONIGHT, this 15th day of October 2012.