Kiersten, Spreading HOPE for Mia
Ambassador Kiersten Walker, fundraising in memory of Mia
“Our daughter Mia was stillborn at 38+5 weeks on Christmas Eve of 2021. Her pregnancy was uncomplicated and joyous after two previous miscarriages and a two-year journey to become pregnant. Finding out your baby, gender unknown to us at the time, no longer has a heartbeat is surreal. You don’t understand what you’re being told, nor do you understand the impact this loss will have on the trajectory of your life.
The only gift that has come out of this journey is the mothers I now call dear friends because of RTZ Hope. Signing onto zoom February 24, 2022 only two months after saying hello and goodbye was the first time I knew that I would find my way as a daughterless mother.
When I find myself questioning the world, and feeling helpless I have so many people who remind me that Mia matters, that she lives on through the connection I feel to this community and that regardless of how many breaths your child takes, if any, they deserve to be recognized.
I could delve into the details of my story, but the details aren’t as important as telling the world that pregnancy and infant loss is not an event in someone’s life. It is an on going, everyday, every hour, every minute and every second (on the rougher days) part of a parent’s story. For those with living children, take a moment to relish in the knowing you have of your child. Those of us who have been through pregnancy and infant loss will never know our child’s dominant hand, the sound of their voice and so much more. But the world can support us by asking about our children, saying their names and donating to a beautiful and necessary organization like RTZ Hope.”
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 Kiersten’s fundraiser in honor of Mia. 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.