SHARE Program at Edward Hospital hosts walk to remember lost lives
Jacob Chance McLanahan.
Keegan Mathew McNulty.
Madison Bohn.
When a couple finds out they're going to be parents, they become dreamers. They envision their new lives with children, they think about what kind of parents they'll be.
They dream of the memories they'll make as their son or daughter grows up — the traditions they'll pass on, the inside jokes they'll share, the milestones they'll celebrate.
Cheyenne Sumpter.
Riley Sumpter.
Aiden Sumpter.
But for some parents, those dreams and a name are all they'll ever have of their child.
Grace Angeline Jurjovec.
Savanah Rae Dussman.
Those parents experience something no one should have to contemplate: the death of their baby due to premature birth, stillbirth or pre- or neonatal complications. They have felt joy and excitement taken away in a heartbeat and replaced with pain and grief.
If you haven't been through it, you can't understand it.
Alexander Quenzer.
Andrew Tobin.
Those who take part in A Walk to Remember understand.
The event, organized by the SHARE Program at Edward Hospital in Naperville, invites families who have lost babies to honor their memories with a walk and a memorial ceremony. Proceeds from the walk on Saturday, Oct. 10, help fund the SHARE Program, which helps parents through the initial loss and continues to provide support as they grieve, as well as funding the Wings of Hope Angel Garden, a memorial at the hospital.
Edward Thomas Mabrey.
Nathan Joseph Grace.
Just before the walk itself, the Walk to Remember memorial ceremony honors babies individually as organizers present a white rose to families as their babies' names are read aloud.
Hailey Savannah Benkowski.
John Patrick Payne.
Today, parents Joe Wilfinger and Marty Mitchell, both of Plainfield, and Shannon Wagner of Bolingbrook share their stories of loving and grieving for their babies who never had the chance to live. And on Oct. 10, they will Walk to Remember.
Ava Wilfinger.
Sloane Elise Mitchell.
Knox Thomas Mitchell.
Charlie Chase Wagner.
Joe Wilfinger
Society seemed to be telling Joe Wilfinger to be strong for his wife and get over his grief when their daughter was born too soon to survive. But Wilfinger needed to feel his emotions before he could accept his loss. He'll honor baby Ava during the Oct. 10 Walk to Remember. Read Joe's story.
Marty Mitchell
Marty and Ashley Mitchell always planned to have children. But after dreaming of all the daddy-daughter memories he'd make with his little girl, Marty saw Sloane for just a few moments after she was born to early to survive. The Plainfield couple will Walk to Remember Sloane and her brother Knox on Oct. 10. Read Marty's story.
Shannon Wagner
Shannon Wagner went to her ultrasound excited to learn whether she was having a boy or a girl, but the scan revealed her son's kidneys weren't functioning. On Oct. 10, the Bolingbrook woman joins families who have lost babies in The Walk to Remember. Read Shannon's story.
If you go
What: A Walk to Remember
Why: Proceeds support the Wings of Hope Garden and the SHARE program at Edward Hospital for families who have lost babies during pregnancy or soon after birth
When: A memorial service begins at 9:30 a.m. with the walk at 10 a.m.; on-site registration starts at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 10
Where: Riverwalk Grand Pavilion west of Centennial Beach, 500 W. Jackson Ave., Naperville
Cost: Free, donations and pledges requested
Info: napervillewalktoremember.org