Betsy, Spreading HOPE for Eliza Andrew Winter
Ambassador Betsy Winter, fundraising in memory of Eliza Andrew Winter
“In 2015 I experienced the devastating terminal diagnosis and eventual death of my daughter, Eliza.
When I was 31 weeks pregnant I learned her life would be brief. I was told she would need three open heart surgeries before the age of three. Two weeks later, I learned she had Trisomy 18 and would not survive. At 41 weeks, her heart had stopped, and I delivered my beautiful baby girl into this world only to be returned to the earth three days later.
The spaces in between the ten weeks from her diagnosis to her goodbye were the most profound moments of my life. I experienced heartbreak so intense I fell to my knees with cries otherworldly, and simultaneously, a love so immense I thought I might burst into a million pieces of light.
It was through the dark night of her death and the lived experience of my love and grief that I awoke to an embodied life ripe with meaning and purpose, and the extensive healing of my traumatic past. I have been changed for the better because of her presence in my life, and feel privileged to share her light with others through work I do with Return To Zero HOPE.
Every bereaved parent deserves to have their grief witnessed, their losses acknowledged, and their hearts tended to in the immediate moments of their loss and throughout their life.”
Pregnancy and infant loss is an unique type of loss, leaving the grievers to feel isolated and unsure of how to move forward. We'd be grateful if you you would consider making a contribution to Betsy’s fundraiser in honor of Eliza Andrew Winter. Your gift ensures that other parents who endure loss on their journey to parenthood have the support, resources, and community they need in order to navigate life after loss.
With your support, here’s what we were able to accomplish during 2022 (2022 Annual Report):
Fifty percent of support group participants received financial support to ensure that all parents have access to services.
Enhanced outreach to and created support services for Black, Indigenous, and other Communities of Color as a response to the alarming rate of preterm births and stillbirths caused by racial disparities in perinatal and infant health.
Offered 50 different support group programs (virtual workshops, virtual support groups, and in-person retreats) to our community of bereaved families.
Supplied our unique perinatal bereavement guides to 400 hospitals and providers to assist in caring for grieving families.
Hosted 10 perinatal bereavement education webinars to parents and providers.
Created community and spread awareness about pregnancy and infant loss through social media.