Hazel, Spreading HOPE for Matt
Ambassador Hazel Jones, fundraising in memory of Matt
“I was 21 weeks when at a routine ultrasound heard the news that my baby's heart had stopped. The world felt like it was crashing down. I had my husband and my 12yr old son with me and I screamed my son cried and my husband looked pale. Matthew was born two days later on July 28 2012 silently . One of my favorite memories of being pregnant with Matthew was my older son Robert talking to my stomach everyday and reading books I started a nonprofit called Matties memory after his death to help families locally to me I trained to become a bereavement doula and now I am a bereavement midwife. Helping others honors my son sharing my journey and being with loss families keeps my son's memory alive and honors him.
I found RTZ after my son’s death and discovered how many others were in the same position as me. When I started my nonprofit and because a birthing professional used their support groups and info to help guide my clients.”
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 Hazel’s fundraiser in honor of Matt. 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.