'Walk to Remember' highlights 'National Pregnancy Loss, Awareness Month'

LANCASTER- On Sunday, Oct. 7, The Western New York Perinatal Bereavement Network, Inc. (WNYPBN) will host its 20th Annual “Walk to Remember,” at Cheektowaga Town Park. Registration begins at 11 a.m., with the Annual Memorial Service and Memory Mile Walk commencing at noon.

Held during National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month to increase community awareness and support of bereaved families, the 20th annual “Walk to Remember” is a celebration of life and an opportunity to memorialize babies who have died through miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, stillbirth, or early infant death.

“The annual memorial walk provides a supportive environment for all who have been touched by the death of a baby and gives participants an opportunity to remember and celebrate their loved ones with understanding and without judgment,” said Christine Scott, executive director of the Western New York Perinatal Bereavement Network, as well as a bereaved mother of Jacob Wesley Scott born still on May 27, 2000.

The afternoon is filled with poetry, readings, healing music, a tree planting and a dove release, along with a symbolic memory mile long walk ending with a family picnic. This walk is truly a family event, parents, grandparents, children, friends and loved ones are encouraged to attend this beautiful day.

While there is no cost to attend, participants are asked to register with a suggested donation, and may obtain pledge forms as well to make individual donations to support the vital work of the WNYPBN that serves the eight counties of WNY. All of the programs of the WNYPBN are funded entirely through contributions, and succeed through the generosity of donors, volunteers and supporters.

Also, Monday, Oct. 15, throughout the nation, parents, family members, friends, and healthcare professionals will gather to pay tribute to the approximately 870,000 babies who die each year due to miscarriage, ectopic (tubal) pregnancy, stillbirth, or early infant death. Oct. 15 is National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day and to honor the lives of these children who have passed, the Western New York Perinatal Bereavement Network will be sponsoring Gavin’s Light Memorial Service. The service begins at 6:30 p.m. at The Oratory of the Sacred Heart, located at 43 Maple Ave., in Portville, N.Y.

For more information, please contact Amy Buckner, by calling 933-8691 or by emailing gavinslight@yahoo.com.

A second memorial service will also be held at 6:30 p.m. Acacia Park, 4215 Tonawanda Creek Road North, in North Tonawanda. The programs will include poems, music, and candle-lighting promptly at 7 p.m. Along with other similar ceremonies, we will create a wave of light across the nation in memory of our children.

For more information about the walk or North Tonawanda memorial service contact Scott at 626-6363 or visit www.wnypbn.org.