October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, a time to break the silence surrounding a tragedy affecting more than 37,000 Ontario families every year.
Local organization The Valeria Fund is working to ensure no family grieves alone, offering support through community events and advocacy.
It was established in April, 2023 in memory of Araminta Valeria Chan who passed away an hour after birth from a pre-exiting genetic condition.
"Having started the grieving process in the second half of pregnancy, we tried to find comfort in any bit of information, not knowing if we would be meeting our daughter before or after her death," said founder Lo-Anne Chan. "One thing that helped keep our heads above the water was the constant theme of comfort and care exhibited by all the medical professionals that we met. They knew that they could not take away our pain, but they would be there to support us through the journey."
On Thursday, October 15, Sarnia City Hall and the Sarnia sign in Centennial Park will be lit in purple to mark Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day.
Residents are invited to join the International Wave of Light memorial ceremony that day at the Radiant Community Centre on Mitton Street.
The gathering starts at 6:45 p.m. with a candle lighting at 7 p.m. to honour babies lost to miscarriage, stillbirth, and infant death.
All families, friends, and community members are welcome to attend.
