4th Annual Walk Of Remembrance & Awareness

6757 Chew Ave,Philadelphia PA 19119

09 October, 2021

Description

This walk was organized to publicly bring awareness to pregnancy and infant loss. On April 25, 2007 I (Cherese Akers) delivered a 10-pound STILLborn baby girl. I had no idea what was going on and just how much my life would change following this tragedy. I had heard of only one other women I know who had a stillborn baby prior to this occurring to me and still, like many people, I was very unfamiliar and uneducated about stillbirths. After educating myself and doing a lot of research on the topic, it still took me 10 years to speak out about my loss. I haven’t stopped telling my story and bringing awareness since. The purpose of this walk of remembrance and awareness is for women and men who may have experienced any form of pregnancy or infant loss to be able to publicly remember their child and for some of them to speak out about their loss. The idea that 1 in 4 women will experience pregnancy or infant loss is so significant that more awareness needs to be made around this topic. We are a community that is so often forgotten about as well as our children. It’s time that we stop being silent and start speaking out and telling the world, I have a baby in heaven and it hurts just like any form of loss. Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Day is nationally observed on October 15th Annually. On October 9th we will walk to spread awareness, hope, and love. Due to COVID-19 we will meet right outside out the playground. We must adhere to all city requirements such as wearing mask and making sure we are 6 feet apart. Registration to walk is FREE. If you are interested in a T-shirt they are $20 each and buttons are $5 each. Wristbands are $2 for one or 3 for $5. Mask are $10 for one or $25 for 3. The walk will begin at 9:30am sharp. Sign-in and to purchase items s will be at 8:30 am right outside of the playground. FYI - Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness colors are Pink & Blue. It is encouraged to wear those colors if you aren't wearing "in memory of" attire. We will have a limited amount of pink and blue balloons available. It is also encouraged to provide your own. This will be a 3 mile walk total. The walk will begin at Pleasant Recreation Center, 6757 Chew Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19119 and we will walk 1.5 miles to Ivy Hill Cemetery, 1201 Easton Road, Philadelphia, PA 19150 where there will be a balloon release and words of encouragement by Sadija A. Smiley, founder of SAILS (Stillborn And Infant Loss Support). After the balloon release we will head back 1.5 miles to Pleasant. Follow and like us on social media @stillibirthed If you have any questions or concerns please contact me directly at [email protected]. Hashtags #StillbirthButIStillBirthed #SpeakMyChildsName #PregnancyAndInfantLossAwareness