James and Connie Maynard Children’s Hospital at Vidant Medical Center joins the International Wave of Light | Eastern North Carolina Now

    GREENVILLE- In October 1988, President Ronald Regan proclaimed October as National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness month saying, "When a child loses his parent, they are called an orphan. When a spouse loses his or her partner they are called a widow or widower. When parents lose their child, there isn't a word to describe them. This month recognizes the loss so many parents experience across the United States and around the world."

    This tragedy affects thousands of families all across the world every day. Whether it is a miscarriage, an ectopic pregnancy, a still birth, or the loss of an infant, the pain is very real for the parents.

    "We were devastated, our hearts were broken." Lisa Sawyer described the day she found out her son, Kellen, did not have a heartbeat. She was 37 weeks pregnant. Sawyer knows the tragedy of this loss and wants others experiencing this heartbreak to know, "They are not alone and we understand their grief. Their baby is important and so are they."

    Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day is honored every year on Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. People are encouraged to light a candle in memory of the lives lost. If a candle is lit at this time and keeps burning for at least one hour, there will be a continuous wave of light over the entire world.

    The James and Connie Maynard Children's Hospital at Vidant Medical Center is joining in this effort by changing the light wall from blue to white on Oct.15.

    "I appreciate the changing of the light tower. I am thankful for the support for the families who have experienced loss of their precious babies," Sawyer said. "I am hopeful changing the light will bring awareness and help teach others how to help families that suffer this loss. By talking about pregnancy/infant loss we can educate others of how to help."

    Dr. Keith Nelson, associate professor for department of OB/GYN, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, says losing a pregnancy is "a silent epidemic." Mothers who lose a pregnancy, even very early on, can shut themselves off to others. "They are sometimes reluctant to talk about their loss," said Nelson. "They might feel like other people don't regard their loss the same as losing an older child."

    Bringing awareness to this very real experience is a way to show other mothers that they are not alone in their grief. "Everyone handles loss differently and sometimes just being there for someone is what is needed," Sawyer said. Dr. Nelson adds that losing a pregnancy is "a very real and tangible grieving process for mothers to go through."

    There will be a gathering at 6:30 p.m. at the Family Resource Center located inside Maynard Children's Hospital on Thursday, Oct. 15. The group will then go outside just before 7 p.m. to watch as the lights change from blue to white.

    Vidant Health, a mission-driven, not-for-profit corporation, owns, leases or has a majority membership interest in eight eastern North Carolina hospitals. The health system includes Vidant Beaufort Hospital, Vidant Bertie Hospital, Vidant Chowan Hospital, Vidant Duplin Hospital, Vidant Edgecombe Hospital, The Outer Banks Hospital, Vidant Medical Center, Vidant Roanoke-Chowan Hospital, Vidant Home Health and Hospice,Vidant Wellness Centers, Vidant Medical Group and is affiliated with the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University. On the web at www.vidanthealth.com.