Jill, Spreading HOPE In Memorium

Ambassador Jill Kottmeier, fundraising in memorium

“I have not experience my own pregnancy or infant loss, but I have dedicated much of my life and career to supporting patients, partners, children, and their families through these devastating losses. It has been an honor for me to be present with them in some of the darkest moments of their lives. It is powerful to be trusted when someone is in deep grief and I am grateful to be the keeper of so many stories of loss, grief, hope and love.

RTZ Hope is an amazing organization that provides support to so many bereaved families. Our organization uses their materials and training to impact those experiencing these losses and also to support the providers caring for them.”

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 Jill’s fundraiser in honor of In Memorium. 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.

Shianne Gundersen