October is National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. It is a time to symbolically join with hundreds of committed professionals and bereaved parents to remember the babies who have died during pregnancy or shortly after birth.

Community Hospital is sponsoring its fifth Walk to Remember on Sunday, October 12 at 3 p.m. The Walk to Remember is dedicated to babies who have died due to miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, stillbirth, and early infant death. This year, plans are being made to dedicate the tree that was planted last year as a symbol of a living memorial to all the babies whose lives ended too soon. Participants should meet in the St. Alban's Episcopal Church chapel, at 509 West first Street, for the beginning of the walk. There will be a short memorial service, then participants will walk to Norris Park for the tree dedication ceremony. Following the tree planting, participants are invited to stay for refreshments.

Becky Mai, CBSW, and Joleen Bradley, RN, are Resolve Through Sharing, (RST) bereavement counselors at Community Hospital. They are available to offer short-term, supportive bereavement counseling regarding pregnancy and infant loss. Published materials are available to help families cope with the loss of a baby. Becky and Joleen are also able to coordinate additional support services, such as finding support people who have experienced a pregnancy loss who would like to help others that are grieving. If you or someone you know would like more information about the support services available, please contact Becky Mai or Joleen Bradley.

Pregnancy and infant loss awareness month was first held in October, 1986, to promote sensitivity and understanding about childbearing losses. It began with a "Walk to Remember" held in conjunction with the fifth National Perinatal Bereavement Conference in Chicago, Ill., which was sponsored by RTS. In 1988, President Reagan proclaimed October as National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. Now, "Walks to Remember" continue to be held in many communities each October. Organizing a "Walk" in our community is an opportunity to make a difference. Raising awareness of the unique lifetime parenting and bereavement experience of perinatal loss ensures that sensitive care is given to parents whose babies die during pregnancy or shortly after birth—that's what we are all working toward.