Each year on October 15th we are asked to take a moment to remember those touched by the loss of a pregnancy or infant.
The public is asked to light a candle at 7pm on October 15th to show support. To locate events being held in honor of the day you can visit the official website set up by Robyn Bear, one of the people instrumental in the establishment of the Day (visit Remembering Our Babies).
The commemoration began in 1988 when then President Ronald Reagan designated the entire month of October as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month.
In 2002, the October 15th Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day Campaign began as an American movement. Robyn Bear, Lisa Brown and Tammy Novak petitioned the federal government as well as the governors of each of the 50 states resulting in 20 states signing proclamations recognizing October 15, 2002 as the first observance of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day (PAILRD). As a further 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.
All 50 states have yearly proclamations with 8 states enacting permanent proclamations. These states are: Arkansas, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, New York, Rhode Island and South Dakota.
Read more: National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day
In addition to events being held in local communities, a variety of online campaigns are underway. Among these are a photography project sponsored by artist Carly Marie and a free Kindle download of a book on grief by author Nathalie Himmelrich. If you would like to pass along information regarding additional commemorations, please include them in the comments.
Visit the October 15th Facebook Page
Visit the Carly Marie Project Heal Site
Visit the Carly Marie Project Heal Facebook Site
