Baby Loss Awareness Week takes place from 9th to 15th October every year, ending with International Pregnancy and Infant Loss Day on October 15th. It provides an opportunity for parents, families and whanau around New Zealand to come together and remember the lives of their babies who have died. We acknowledge the lives and deaths of all babies, no matter what their gestation, length of life or how they died. It is also a chance to highlight the work done by Sands around the country.
2009 Events and Activities....
Tuesday October 13th - TVNZ 'Good Morning' One of our Sands Wellington/Hutt Valley members, Emily Innes, appeared on TVNZ's Good Morning show on Tuesday morning, October 13th. She discussed her experience of the death of her daughter Maia and talked about Sands. Here's the link to view the interview...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jS2llnpG6QQ&feature=youtube_gdataRodney
Baby Loss Awareness Week was a great time of remembrance, raising awareness and fundraising for Sands Rodney this year. We had collection points around the community holding ribbon pins and key rings for donations. One of our members made beaded bookmarks, which have raised a lot of money for our running costs - Thanks Jo! Special thanks to the businesses involved - Take Note and Quik Auto Services in Wellsford, Lee and Hart Pharmacy and United Video in Warkworth, and Sea Spray in Snells Beach. A huge effort was made by our members to promote and raise funds and awareness for baby loss.
After reports of thunder storms for the Saturday the 17th of October, the weather held out beautifully, and we managed to have a nice, relaxed memorial service and balloon release at Wenderholm Regional Park to remember our little ones they way they should be remembered – with great love. It was attended by about 30 parents, friends and family members, most of whom stayed for afternoon tea and a chat.
Thanks to Hibiscus Coast Party Hire for supplying discounted helium for our balloons this year, and thank you to all who attended - we hope to see you again next year!
Auckland Central
Manukau
Franklin
On the 10th October Sands Franklin held its 2nd annual fundraising ball in recognition of BLAW, this years theme ‘Night of the Stars’. The event was a huge success raising $4,000 through ticket sales, an auction and raffles.
Flynny from ZM was MC again and a great addition to the evening. Everyone was given a gift bag kindly donated by NZ Bagit, branded with the Sands logo, filled with goods donated by Franklin’s local businesses, all had an awareness ribbon attached to be worn during the week.
All in all a great evening and loads more awareness raised. Photos can be viewed online at www.momentz.co.nz/estore/sands until 7th November.
Hamilton
Tauranga
Sunday 11th October - Memorial Service & Balloon Release Sands Bay of Plenty in association with Todd Gowever Funeral Services are holding a memorial service and balloon release on Sunday 11th October 11am at Olive Tree Cottage, Joyce Road (off Pyes Pa Road), Tauranga.
The service and balloon release will be a chance to acknowledge and remember your baby or babies who have died, no matter what gestation or age and no matter how long ago. All the family and of course children are welcome. For more information please contact Lauren on 575 2077 or Liz on 544 9853.
Whakatane
Our rememberance service was attended by about 14 of us (which included our coordinator Amanda and her support crew). It was a beautiful service with candlelighting and those that came really enjoyed it.
We also had a 5km walk with balloon release and barbeque. We had about 32 people attend the walk which included kids. The day was fantastic and the balloon release was magical and again everyone really enjoyed it.
We also had an awareness stand in town and raised over $200 with raffles etc.
New Plymouth
We had a lovely candle service at the hospital chapel at Taranaki Base Hospital. it was a lovely evening with about 30 people present to light a candle in rememberence of their loved one/ones.
We also had a card on which people could write messages for their baby. This was followed by a cup of tea, coffeeand biscuits.
Palmerston North
Wanganui
Wellington
We held our annual memorial service on Sunday 11th October. Once again it was a lovely service, this year attended by around 30-35 people.
We had live music which was a first for us - singers accompanied by the piano - beautiful!
We also had a quilt on which people were invited to pin a pair of booties with the ir baby's/babies/ name attached. This was a visual reminder for our precious babies that we were there to remember.
On Thursday 15th October, we held our first candle lighting and balloon release. The weather was very questionable and we had made a decision round 5:00pm to cancel due to the rain. However, we decided to still head out to Petone in case anyone had missed our cancellation on the website and/or still wanted to attend.
We ended up having a lovely event, attended by around 45-50 people.While it was gently raining, there was no wind and the temperature was very mild so it was actually very pleasant.
We let off our balloons and lit our candles, we read poems and all said our babies' names.
Sands Wellington/Hutt Valleywoudl like to thank everyone that attended our events and warmly welcome you to come along again next year!
Marlborough
Nelson
Canterbury
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Upcoming Events
Baby Loss Awareness Week 2009
9th -15th October Baby Loss Awareness Week has come and gone for another year. Thanks to everyone who attended our services and events - we appreciate your support and we are honoured to be able to provide the opportunity for parents, families and whanau to gather, remember, acknowledge and shed a tear for your much loved and missed baby or child.