October Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Month Events in Tampa Bay
“When a child loses his or her parent, they are called an orphan. When a spouse loses his or her partner, they are called a widow or widower. When a parent loses their child, there isn’t a word to describe them. This month recognizes the loss so many parents experience across the United States and around the world.”
October Is Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Month
In October 1988, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed the entire month of October as National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. 1 in 4 pregnancies end in miscarriage or infant loss. It is a staggering statistic and goes to show how often loss is experienced. However, this is still something that is rarely talked about or shared in our society which leaves those affected with feelings of shame, anger, and loneliness. One way to cope with a loss is to talk about it, make an effort not to isolate yourself and to look for support from others. Last year at the Community Roots Collective we held a lantern release for Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day and this year we are expanding our October events to reach more local families dealing with a loss. We want families to know that they have a community to support, acknowledge, and remember with them.
Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day, on Sunday, October 15th, is a day for all grieving parents to be surrounded by love and support from their friends, family, and community. It is a day to not only reflect on the loss but to also embrace love and healing. Community Roots Collective invites your family and friends to spend this special day with us in remembrance of these angels at our mile long walk and event along the Tampa Riverwalk. This year's event will depart from our annual lantern release and instead offer a flower release into the river after our memorial and awareness walk. You can also donate blood for our local community all day, from 4pm-8pm or join us for our Mended Heart art project on Friday, October 6th from 7pm to 8:30pm.
Please join us to commemorate your little ones at one or all of these events but registering here. Even if you have not personally lost a child, you can still give your time and resources in supporting those who have.
We will also have these shirts available for purchase. They are $25 each and come in ladies' sizes small to 2x. A portion of the proceeds will go to AMEND Tampa- a support group for loss families (see below). If you'd like to reserve one please send us a message with your size or email communityrootscollectivetampa@gmail.com.
AMEND (Aiding Mothers Enduring Neonatal Death)*
*AMEND is a non-profit organization based in Tampa, Florida dedicated to providing moral support and encouragement to persons that have experienced a loss during and after pregnancy. We are parents who have experienced such a loss and give of ourselves to help others. Our group extends its support to those individuals who have had early miscarriage, full term stillbirth, and infant losses.
South Tampa meetings are the first Thursday of the month at 8 PM at Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church on San Jose. We meet on the 3rd floor. North Tampa meetings are the third Wednesday of the month at 8 PM at Dr. Frazier & Weissman's office at 15320 Amberly Drive Tampa 33647. Drive to the back of the building and come in the back door.
