October has always been breast cancer awareness month. Go pink! What most people don’t know, is that October is also pregnancy and infant loss awareness month. Most people don’t know this because it is such a taboo topic.
I first learned this from my friend Cathy. She lost her second child, Sean, to SIDS a few months after he was born. Cathy posted links and information on Facebook to charities and organizations that supported and raised awareness for SIDS. I would occasionally share one, trying to support my friend, but of course, Go Pink! still ruled October.
This month, I will be posting a lot. Some may be long, some short. By talking about the loss of Sean, Cathy made me aware of October being about more than just “saving the ta-tas.” I hope I can continue to spread this awareness and end the taboo nature of pregnancy loss.
1 in 4 pregnancies end in loss. That is a staggering number. You don’t realize just how many people it effects until you open up the conversation. Since I publicly announced the loss of Stella and Joy, the number of friends who reached out telling me stories of miscarriage and loss, their own or someone they know, has been overwhelming. This is real life. It’s happening everyday. Let’s open the door to discussions and honesty.
Don’t stop going pink this month, but take a moment to add a little blue every now and then.
In honor of Cathy and in memory of Sean, I am including a link to First Candle (originally called CJ’s First Candle), the same charity Cathy posted about years ago.