Pregnancy After Loss Support

Pregnancy After Loss Support (PALS) is seeking a community member who would like to give back and help continue to grow PALS as the Treasurer on our Board of Directors. Could you be our Treasurer? PALS has a diverse and committed Board of Directors, and we are currently looking to add a Treasurer to serve three-year terms, volunteering between 2-4 hours a month. Applicants must have: ? Understanding of financial accounting for nonprofit organizations. ? Significant knowledge and skills in financial management and investment concepts. Responsibilities include (but are not limited to): ? Attend and participate in all meetings of the Board of Directors, which meet approximately six times a year via Zoom, as well as committee meetings and a yearly in-person retreat. ? Be informed about PALS mission, services, policies, and programs. ? Assist the Board of Directors in carrying out its fiduciary responsibilities. ? Manages the Board's review of, and action related to, the Board's financial responsibilities. ? Works with the Chair and PALS staff to ensure that appropriate financial reports are made available to the Board on a timely basis. ? Assists the Chair and PALS staff in preparing the annual budget, and presenting the budget and Form 990 to the Board for approval. ? Works with the Chair and PALS staff to develop Fiscal Policies for recommendation to the Board to ensure the financial integrity and sustainability of the organization. ? Works with the Chair and PALS staff to develop long-term financial strategies. ? Keeps currently informed of legal, regulatory and sector developments relating to the Board's financial responsibilities. ? Supports fundraisers and helps raise funds for PALS generally. ?? See the full volunteer description, qualifications, and responsibilities and access the application: https://lnkd.in/ex3G2NwX Pregnancy After Loss Support is seeking applicants with diverse lived experiences. Applicants are subject to a background check and accepted based on relevant experience and availability and willingness to collaborate with PALS. Fill out a volunteer application to be considered. ?? Applications are due by Tuesday, October 30, 2024.

Last weekend, the PALS Board of Directors gathered for a retreat to plan for the future of Pregnancy After Loss Support. It was a powerful and productive weekend, filled with collaboration and inspiration. As we worked together, we had a reminder of the heart of our mission: our children. Each name tent at the table included the names of ALL of our children, a testament to the shared experiences that brought us together and the love that fuels our work. We're excited to share more about our plans in the coming months, including a meaningful project launching tomorrow for Pregnancy, Infant, and Child Loss Awareness Month. A huge thank you to our dedicated community for your continued support and feedback through our community survey. Your input is invaluable as we strive to provide compassionate care and support to families navigating family building after pregnancy, infant, and child loss. Marcy Parko Miller, Valerie Meek, Justina C., Rebecca Markert, Lindsey M. Henke, Angelica Quezada, Danyelle Andrews PT, DPT, DipACLM, NBC-HWC, Cert. DN, and Samantha Hackney

National Rainbow Baby Day is bittersweet. We celebrate the rainbow babies, as we remember the babies who came before them. And, we also recognize the heartbreaking reality that not all rainbow babies live and not all loss parents go on to have a rainbow baby, for many different reasons. We want you to know that we see you too, parents. We see the love you have for all of your children. We see your parenthood. Sendi#WRBRainbowBabyWeek Read one mom's story, "[Living] Rainbow Babies: A Reality Not Every Loss Mama Lives" ?? https://lnkd.in/ey7s8EYj #NationalRainbowBabyDay #RainbowBabyDay

We're so grateful to Owlet Baby Care for partnering with us this Rainbow Baby Day and for featuring PALS on their blog. Many in our community have turned to Dream Sock? to help them cope with the anxiety they continue to feel as they parent their baby born after loss. When we asked our community to share their experiences, the overwhelming message we heard was that the Owlet smart baby monitors gave them much-needed peace of mind and the ability to sleep. Amanda F, who has been such an advocate in the loss community, shared more about her experience: "I’m often asked how I feel about the Owlet smart baby monitor. When I was pregnant with Juniper, blissfully unaware of the trauma and tragedy of infant death, I’ll be honest that I thought a baby monitor like this was ‘over the top.’ Then Juniper died and was born at full term, and the death of your child has a way of taking off your rose-colored glasses and flipping your world upside down. So, when we were pregnant with Coral, we purchased an Owlet smart baby monitor." Read the full feature from Owlet's blog, which shares more of Amanda's story and her experience with the Owlet Dream Sock?, as well as more about PALS, the PAL App, and tips for the postpartum period with your baby born after loss: https://lnkd.in/gqrPDe5i ?? Make sure you enter our giveaway with Owlet through this post on Instagram: https://lnkd.in/ehcBF8YS #NationalRainbowBabyDay #RainbowBabyDay

Not everyone resonates with the term “rainbow baby.” That’s OK. We celebrate and remember all the babies here at PALS. Do you avoid using "rainbow baby" to describe your baby born after loss? "Despite using the term 'rainbow' in the early days to describe our situation, I began to hate it as I began progressing in my pregnancy with his first brother. When met by other people’s high energy, I felt I was forced to wear yet another griefy mask; to hide the reality that I knew this pregnancy was not guaranteed to end with a screaming baby at the end. I knew that no pregnancy is guaranteed to have a safe and healthy arrival at the end, no matter how much I had hoped or planned." Read Domenique Rice's story ??

After the loss of a baby during pregnancy or infancy, the innocence of pregnancy is gone. A subsequent pregnancy is a tightrope walk between joy and grief, hope and fear. A rainbow baby is loved and hoped for, and yet, after loss, parents know there are no guarantees. While a rainbow baby will never replace a baby who died, they deserve to be celebrated and to honor the family’s journey, never forgetting their precious baby who died. This is why we recognize National Rainbow Baby Day on August 22nd each year: to celebrate the rainbow babies, remember the babies who came before them, and honor each parents’ journey. Learn more about ?? rainbow babies ?? and get ways to celebrate ??

Thursday, August 22nd, is ?? National Rainbow Baby Day ??! Join us this week as we count down to Rainbow Baby Day by spreading awareness about the unique journey of pregnancy after loss and celebrating all the rainbow babies. We have stories to share, a special giveaway, and opportunities for you to share your stories and spread awareness. ???????????? Learn more about Rainbow Baby Day: https://lnkd.in/dcdYeNDD #NationalRainbowBabyDay #RainbowBabyDay #RainbowBabyWeek

This weekend is the 6th Annual PALS Waddle Walk, and we want to introduce you to the designer of this year’s t-shirt, 8-year-old rainbow girl, Elsa. She has a message she wants to share with you all. Hi! My name is Elsa, and I’m eight years old. I’m a rainbow girl. I have a big brother Patrick, but he died before I was born. I’ve walked in every Waddle Walk since I was a little kid, and this year I designed the Waddle Walk t-shirt. When I found out my design was picked, I told my mommy and daddy that they should call me their little designer! I love the Waddle Walk. It’s the one time I get to play with my brother by walking and remembering him. We get to be together as a whole family, even my dog, Didi. I miss my brother a lot, even though I never met him. I really wish he was here so I could play with him for real, not just in my imagination. Every year at the Waddle Walk, we raise money for PALS. Can you help us and donate, too? It helps PALS help families like mine (mommy says there’s even an app!). We remember all the babies, who lived and died. They’re all part of our families. Our love waddles on, just like it says on my shirt. Thanks for helping! ?? Elsa *** ?? We sat down with Elsa to talk to her about her design and what it’s like to be a rainbow girl, along with pictures of Elsa from each Waddle Walk. Read the heartwarming full interview here: https://lnkd.in/ewkiY6zd ?? Donate now to Elsa's fundraiser to help PALS reach their goal of $30,000: https://pals.fyi/WW24Elsa #PALSWaddleWalk #WaddleWalk2024

We're excited to announce the incentives for our friends fundraising for the Waddle Walk! To be eligible for these incentives, you must be registered for the Waddle Walk and have a personal fundraiser page set up*. See below for more details on how to register. Incentive Levels**: ?? $100 - Raise $100 on your personal fundraiser and receive a Rainbow HOPE Keychain. ?? $280 - Raise $280 on your personal fundraiser and receive Lindsey Henke’s When Skies Are Gray memoir, as well as a Rainbow HOPE keychain. ?? $500 - Raise $500 on your personal fundraiser and receive an Our Love Waddles On Tote Bag, as well as Lindsey Henke’s When Skies Are Gray memoir, and a Rainbow HOPE Keychain. ?? Raise $900+ on your personal fundraiser and receive a laurelbox Wind Chime, as well as an Our Love Waddles On Tote Bag, Lindsey Henke’s When Skies Are Gray memoir, and a Rainbow HOPE keychain. So, let's get fundraising! Which incentive are you most excited about? What level do you think you can reach? Scroll through the images to see all the incentives. *It's not too late to register and set up your personal fundraiser! ?? Register here ?? https://lnkd.in/ewW8Qbcd ?? Set up your fundraiser page here ?? https://lnkd.in/eCe-m9Qs ?? Learn more about the Waddle Walk ?? https://pals.fyi/WW2024FB **Entries for incentives end Wednesday, July 3, 2024. #PALSWaddleWalk #WaddleWalk2024

We have exciting news from our bump day blogger, Issy Jorden! Issy wrote: Jesse Luke Jorden arrived by planned c-section on 20th May at 9.31am, weighing 6lb 4oz. After an emotional first few weeks, missing big sister Dottie, and adjusting to newborn life, we are settling into family life and enjoying this precious gift. *** Welcome to the world, Jesse! You are just perfect. We're so happy to meet you! Join us in sending love and congratulations to the whole family. ??