It’s a topic many people find difficult to talk about, but pregnancy and infant loss impact many people.
On Sunday, organizers of a support group for bereaved parents are hosting a memorial service in Burnaby to give them another opportunity to grieve.
Nancy Slinn is a coordinator with Empty Cradle, a group that supports parents who have experienced the loss of an infant or a failed pregnancy.
“We’re afraid of things that we don’t know and that we don’t understand. So, we fear death, we fear the loss of a child, we fear the loss of a spouse,” Slinn said.
“Unfortunately, they’re all parts of life, and it’s really sad people feel they have to go through these experiences on their own.”
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The organization’s goal, Slinn said, is to be there for people going through the significant pain that comes from losing a pregnancy or child.
“Those of us down further down the healing road in our grief, and further on the healing journey can reach out to those newly bereaved and given them support.”
To mark Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day Empty Cradle is teaming up with Ocean View Cemetery to hold a memorial service.
The non-denominational, kid-friendly event gets under way at 3 p.m.
On Friday, Nova Scotia passed a bill officially proclaiming Oct. 15 as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day.
Ontario passed a similar bill in 2015, which also included a pledge of better resources, support and research on the issue.
-With files form Alexander Quon.
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