We are incredibly grateful for your support with HOPEtober. Together, we aim to spread awareness, shatter the silence surrounding pregnancy and infant loss, and raise crucial funds for Return to Zero: Hope.
As you share your story, know that you are helping bereaved parents find comfort. Your bravery and openness are powerful and truly bring hope and solace to those grieving. Please remember to take care of yourself this month. Your well-being is important as we embark on this journey together.
This toolkit is designed with you in mind. Use this as you see fit during the month of October.
WHY SHARING YOUR STORY IS IMPORTANT
Sharing stories in the pregnancy and infant loss community is like shining a light in the dark. When you share your experience, you’re not just telling your story—you’re giving others permission to do the same, as a result, showing them they are not alone.
By opening up, you help build a compassionate community where every experience is honored and where those navigating similar storms can find solace and strength.
When others read your story: Your journey is honored. Your baby or loss experience is remembered. Your voice is heard.
In sharing, we all contribute to a brighter, more understanding world, where the pain of loss is met with empathy and shared hope. Your voice matters. Together our stories create a network of light and illuminate our path that makes the journey a little less lonely.
SHARING YOUR STORY AND SPREADING AWARENESS
We know that everyone’s journey is different, and that includes where and how you share your story. Whether this is your first or 100th time sharing your story, we want to acknowledge and validate your feelings, worries, and hopes tied to sharing something so personal. There are many ways to share your story, and we encourage you to do so in the ways you are comfortable with. Here are some ideas for sharing:
EMAIL: Send an email to your friends, family, and/or your coworkers letting them know you’re participating in Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month as an RTZ HOPEtober Luminary. Be sure to include your link to your page and/or fundraiser so they can read more about your story and show you their support.
TEXT: If texting feels easier, send a simple text to friends, family, or whoever you’d like to know more about your story. Your link is an easy way to share and speaks for itself.
SOCIAL MEDIA: We’ve created some customizable graphics and caption suggestions for sharing on social media below. Please feel free to create and share your own videos, photos, or creations that represent your story - on any and all of your favorite social media platforms.
TEMPLATES FOR SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS
Click an image below to edit and customize in Canva, or download the image and edit it in your favorite app, then upload to your social media page(s) of choice.
Here are some ideas if you need inspiration for what to include in the caption and please remember to include #rtzhopetober.
“As an RTZ HOPEtober Luminary, I’m sharing my story to spread hope and awareness for pregnancy and infant loss. If you’d like to read my story and make a donation in honor of my baby/loss, visit <insert your link>.”
“My pregnancy loss was 5 years. I’m sharing my story and asking friends and family to make a $5 donation to RTZ Hope in honor of this loss anniversary. Every dollar helps support other families experiencing pregnancy and infant loss. <insert your link>
“My baby would have been 5 this year. I’m sharing my story and asking friends and family to make a $5 donation to RTZ Hope in honor of baby’s 5th birthday. Every dollar helps support other families experiencing pregnancy and infant loss. <insert your link>
“This month is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. I’m sharing my story to spread hope and shine a light on loss. <insert your link>”
“October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, a time to honor the babies gone too soon and to support grieving families who have been impacted by this heartache. Too often, this type of loss is shrouded in silence, leaving many parents feeling unheard and alone. By becoming a @returntozerohope #HOPEtober luminary, I am shining a light on pregnancy and infant loss and sharing my story. Together we can shatter the stigma, uplift those grieving in silence, and offer a beacon of hope to those who need it. I would be honored if you would take the time to read my story which can be found here: <insert your link>”
TEMPLATES FOR SOCIAL MEDIA STORIES
Click an image below to edit and customize in Canva, or download the image and edit it in your favorite app, then upload to your social media stories. Don’t forget to include the link to your Luminary Page and/or fundraiser.
FUNDRAISING
why we fundraise
As a nonprofit, we rely on the donations from our community in order to offer our programs and initiatives. Our goal is to raise $75,000 by year-end. Every dollar raised during HOPEtober helps us carry out our mission of supporting bereaved families and the providers who care for them.
FUNDRAISING TIPS
We hope that RTZ was there for you while you navigated through what was most likely one of the most difficult times of your life. To ensure we can continue to provide this vital support for years to come, fundraising is crucial to our mission. Your efforts in raising funds make a difference and enable RTZ to maintain our current initiatives and make it possible to continue our work of supporting families who have experienced pregnancy and infant loss.
1
IF YOU DON’T ASK,
YOU DON’T RECEiVE
Asking people for money can be intimidating, but the bottom line is if we don't ask, we don't receive. Fundraising is not selling or begging for money - it's asking people to invest in an important cause. If you believe the mission of RTZ Hope transforms the culture around pregnancy and infant loss then asking people to make a donation as well is giving them a chance to share in your vision.
2
MAKE YOUR ASK MEANINGFUL
When people in your life want to support a cause meaningful to you, you can make your request for donations even more special by choosing a symbolic amount. For instance, if your baby was born on the 10th of the month or would be celebrating their 10th birthday, you might ask for $10 donations in their honor. This personal touch not only makes the contribution more meaningful, but turns each donation into a heartfelt tribute.
3
INTERACT AND ENGAGE WITH
YOUR SUPPORTERS
Our fundraising platform makes it easy for those supporting you to donate and also allows you to see who has donated to your fundraiser in real time. When you know who donated you can reach out and engage with them directly. We also recommend connecting with them to thank them for supporting our mission of RTZ as well as honoring your story, your baby, and your loss experience.
4
SOME PEOPLE WON’T GIVE,
AND THAT’S OKAY
No matter how prepared, strategic, and specific you are, some people just won't give. That's ok. You've still shared you story and the mission of RTZ Hope with them. While financial contributions are crucial to our cause, we have many ways others can support us beyond monetary donations. Some ideas are listed here.
LIGHTING THE WAY TO OUR GOAL
connect with other luminaries
WAVE OF LIGHT: A GATHERING
October 15th, 2024 @ 5:00pm-6:00pm PDT / 8:00pm-9:00pm EDT
Join us for a free virtual gathering for the Wave of Light in honor of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. Together as a community, we will honor our babies through writing, gentle music and candle lighting in a sacred space of connection.
2024 luminaries
These individuals have joined us in Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Month as ambassadors and advocates for our community.
things to keep in mind during pregnancy & infant loss awareness month
We want to remind you that it is completely normal to feel a variety of emotions this month.
Do what feels right for you. Take things one day at a time or even one moment at a time. And check in with yourself regularly on how you are feeling.
Self-care and connecting with your baby or loss experience in ways that feel right for you will always be the most important.
It’s okay to share your story and be active on social media, but it’s also okay if you feel like you need to take a break.