Erica, Spreading HOPE for Baby Jonny
Ambassador Erica, fundraising in memory of Baby Jonny
“On March 25th, about 4am, we had to say goodbye to our Baby Jonny. I went to the ER because I had been feeling pain all week and it was Thursday when we became concerned. This was my first pregnancy and I had no idea what was considered “normal” or not. My water broke while waiting for test results and there wasn’t enough fluids for baby to make it. I had to deliver our baby knowing we couldn’t bring him home.
He was just about to be 5 months in my tummy and we already loved him so much. We had dreamt of all the ways our lives would change. Even earlier that day before going to the hospital, my husband was telling me that he couldn’t wait to take him everywhere to eat with us even if he would cry. I just laughed and said, “You say that now love!”
We miss him so much, but are thankful for the hope of seeing him when we make it to heaven. Even through all of the fear and pain we felt that night, we could see God’s hand through it all. We don’t always understand the reason things happen the way they do, but we trust that God does.
That night we made a promise to Baby Jonny that his short life would not be in vain. We share his story every chance we get in hopes of helping other couples who are dealing with he aftermath of pregnancy loss. Yes, it’s painful, but we’ve found that there is hope.
When I first lost Baby Jonny I searched everywhere I could for similar stories and any helpful information I could come across. I needed to know I wasn’t alone. I needed support from someone who actually understood what I was going through. I needed help understanding the changes my body was going through. This had been my first pregnancy and I never expected it to end the way it did. It was harder than one might imagine to find resources. I found RTZ Hope on Instagram and was incredibly thankful. The stories were inspiring. There’s comfort that comes from knowing someone else has walked through pregnancy loss and has made it out ok. If they could do it, so could I.”
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 Erica’s fundraiser in honor of Baby Jonny. 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.