October is Loss Month | Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awarenessq
“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.”
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 they have a community there to support, acknowledge, and remember with them.
On Sunday, October 9th we will be participating in a Care Package Project. We will be decorating journals to add to a package of books, mom care items, and resources and will be donating them to our local chapter of AMEND (Aiding Mothers Enduring Neonatal Death) to disperse to their parents. We will have journals and craft supplies. Feel free to bring your own decorating art supplies as well.
https://www.facebook.com/events/280016865718699/
Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day, on Saturday, 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. Donate blood for our local community and Placenta Accreta Awareness all day, from 2pm-7pm.
https://www.facebook.com/events/350114995378592/
We will have our usual remembrance time beginning at 6pm. Come and make a prayer flag to put up, and then join us afterwards for a beautiful lantern release into the evening sky at 7pm.
https://www.facebook.com/events/586243051533880/
On Sunday, October 23rd at 2pm we will be hosting a free screening of the film Return to Zero at the John F. Germany Library in downtown Tampa. RETURN TO ZERO is based on the true story of a successful couple, Maggie (MINNIE DRIVER) and Aaron (PAUL ADELSTEIN) who are preparing for the arrival of their first child. Just weeks before their due date they are devastated to discover that their baby son has died in the womb and will be stillborn. After mourning the loss of their stillborn son, they learn that she is pregnant again.
https://www.facebook.com/events/592798570900657/
For the entire month of October we will be collecting previously owned wedding dresses and special occasion dresses in pastel colors for Angel Gowns of the Villages. Angel Gowns of the Villages provides beautiful gowns for those babies gone too soon out of your donated wedding gown or special occasion dress. They also create wraps and small shrouds as well, for the babies that are just too small for a gown, but need something beautiful other that a towel. Infant bereavement gowns will then be donated to local hospitals, including Tampa General, Trinity, and St Joseph's. https://www.facebook.com/events/1296447340368045/
Please join us to commemorate your little ones at one or all of these events. 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 $20 each and come in ladies' sizes sm-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.
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AMEND (Aiding Mothers Enduring Neonatal Death)*
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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.
October 2nd is our Candle Lighting Service in memory of Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Month held at Pepin Heart Center at Florida Hospital Tampa on Fletcher. It is held in the Wallace Center. Program starts at 2:30pm. Families welcome. Any questions call Karen Frazier at 813-631-9519.
