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The day is observed with remembrance ceremonies and candle-lighting vigils, concluding with the International Wave of Light, a worldwide lighting of candles at 7:00 p.m. |
The day is observed with remembrance ceremonies and candle-lighting vigils, concluding with the International Wave of Light, a worldwide lighting of candles at 7:00 p.m. |
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Revision as of 22:55, 1 March 2010
Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day is a day of remembrance for pregnancy loss and infant death which includes but are not limited to miscarriage, stillbirth, SIDS, or the death of a newborn. It is observed annually in the United States and Canada on October 15.
The day is observed with remembrance ceremonies and candle-lighting vigils, concluding with the International Wave of Light, a worldwide lighting of candles at 7:00 p.m.
History
The Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Movement began in the United States On October 25, 1988 when former American President Ronald Reagan designated the month of October 1988 as ``Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month [1]
The October 15th Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day (PAILRD) Campaign began in 1998 as an American movement started by Robyn Bear and Lisa Brown.[2] Together, they petitioned the federal government, as well as the governors of each of the 50 states, and by October 15, 2000 (the first observance of PAILRD) 20 states had signed proclamations recognizing the date as such. As a result of the American campaign effort, Concurrent Resolution H. CON. RES. 222 Supporting the goals and ideals of National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day was passed in the House of Representatives on September 28, 2006. [3]. To date, all 50 states have yearly proclamations, with Arkansas, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, New York, Rhode Island, and South Dakota enacting permanent proclamations.[4]
The Director of the Canadian Pregnancy Loss and Infant Death Awareness and Remembrance Campaign, Terra-Lynn Coggan, joined the American movement in September 2004 and took on the role as the Canadian Director for October 15 Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day and began the Canadian Campaign.
On October 12, 2005 when New Brunswick received official recognition of October 15 Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day Terra-Lynn resigned as the Canadian Director for the American Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Campaign and independently launched The Canadian Pregnancy Loss and Infant Death Awareness and Remembrance Campaigns. [5]
Since New Brunswick’s Declaration of October 15, Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day the province of Nova Scotia has followed suite with a similar declaration. The provinces of Ontario and Manitoba are currently considering a declaration.
International Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day
Contrary to the popular belief that Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day is internationally legislated and observed as an international day of remembrance this is not the case.
Through the legislative campaigns of individuals world wide Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day is becoming an international day of observation. Germany and most other non-English speaking countries do not observe this day.
American Federal Campaign
As a result of the American campaign effort Concurrent resolution H. CON. RES. 222 Supporting the goals and ideals of National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day was passed in the House of Representatives on September 28, 2006. H. CON. RES. 222 proclaims October 15 of each year to be Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day in the United States.[6]
Canadian Federal Campaign
The Canadian Foundation for October 15, also known as the CFO is the official foundation of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day Canada. The CFO is leading the federal campaign to recognize October 15 as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day Canada.
The goal of the CFO is to obtain an official day of remembrance, October 15 of each year, to ensure that all Canadian families who experience the loss of a child during pregnancy or shortly after birth are given the opportunity to acknowledge their loss, seek support, and honor their child’s memory in an understanding and supportive atmosphere.
The CFO works to promote national and international pregnancy loss and infant death awareness, remembrance, and support enabling the larger community the knowledge and skills required to assist and meet the needs of families who experience pregnancy loss and infant death.[7]
New Brunswick, Canada
New Brunswick is the first province in Canada to officially recognize October 15 as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day.
Through the lobbying efforts of Terra-Lynn Coggan, a Saint John resident with the assistance of Saint John-Champlain MLA Roly MacIntyre, New Brunswick Minister of Health and Wellness, Hon. Elvy Robichaud in a declaration dated October 12, 2005 did declare October 15 to be Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Daya cross the province.
"Miscarriage and infant death are a source of grief, often silent, for mothers, fathers, siblings and grandparents." To recognize this loss, Hon. Elvy Robichaud, New Brunswick Minister of Health and Wellness declared October 15 to be Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day
He called on provincial residents to help promote "support, education and awareness for grieving parents who have lost infants during pregnancy or shortly after birth.[8]
International Wave of Light
The International Wave of Light invites participants from around the world to light a candle in honor of PAILRD, starting at 1900 hours on October 15 in their respective time zones, and to leave the candle burning for at least an hour. The result is a continuous chain of light spanning the globe for a 24 hour period in honor and remembrance of the children who die during pregnancy or shortly after birth. [9]
See also
References
- Reagan, Ronald (1988-10-25). "Proclamation 5890 -- Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, 1988". Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. Retrieved 2009-09-19.
- Robichaud, Hon. Elvy (2005-10-12). "New Brunswick Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day English" (PDF). New Brunswick Minister, Health and Wellness. Retrieved 2006-12-05.
- Robichaud, Hon. Elvy (2005-10-12). "New Brunswick Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day French" (PDF). New Brunswick Minister, Health and Wellness. Retrieved 2006-12-05.
- Robichaud, Hon. Elvy (2005-12-01). "Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness group gets provincial government nod" (PDF). The Bear Care Campaign. Retrieved 2006-12-05.
- UNITED STATES, SENATE (2006-09-28). "H. CON. RES. 222 Supporting the goals and ideals of National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day" (PDF). THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES. Retrieved 2009-08-21.