As many of you know, our daughter Janelle died her second day of life from a horrible infection that was virtualy undetectable until it was way too late. We were told with her initial diagnosis of Down Syndrome, the possibiitly of her making it through the pregnancy was about 50%. Despite the horrible prognosis, Janelle showed beautiful strength and progession in all of her subsequent growth scans. At birth, Janelle had low blood sugars and showed no interest in nursing or feeding in any way, which bought her an NG tube and a stay in the special care unit. About 12 hours later our world came crashing down when the nurse from Special Care called to say there was "something different" about Janelle. By the time everything was set in place, the infection had practically taken over her entire abdominal cavity. Nothing could be done.
Janelle was so planned and loved by all who knew of her. Resources were in place and we were building a community to help us love and care for this special little lady. Unfortunately, I was "lucky" enough to know of Empty Arms prior to needing them. I had been to one of the training sessions for medical professionals and one of my dearest friends had lost her daughter 14 months prior to Janelle passing. Without that knowledge I would be lost and drowning in a world of grief. Without the connection of my friend and because Empty Empty doesn't actively serve Baystate Hospital at this time, I would have been given a pamphlet of information instead of someone reaching out to me and comforting me in my hospital room
Thank you for your thoughtful donation to Empty Arms and my fundraising efforts. Monies raised are used to educate Medical professionals, provide care packages to newly bereaved family members, provided one-on-one support when families first learn of their loss, allow continued group support for grieving families, and help families create wonderful happy memories with the babies they have lost, AND hopefully allow Empty Arms to expand its efforts of peer companioning to the entire Pioneer Valley.
Syrup Stampede
Syrup Stampede will be a fun, family friendly 5k run/walk event. Donations and raised funds will benefit Empty Arms, an organization geared toward helping families of the Pioneer Valley grieve the loss of a pregnancy or infant. The Empty Arms Community Members not only hope to raise awareness of this awesome organization but also hope to demonstrate our want and desire to integrate our losses into poistive events surrounding the memories of our babies.
Empty Arms Bereavement Support serves members of the Western Mass community whose babies have died at any time during pregnancy or early infancy. We look to provide and create a compassionate community, fostering connections, validation, and resources to grieving parents.