ABOUT SHARE PREGNANCY & INFANT LOSS SUPPORT

The National Share Office

OUR HISTORY

In the fall of 1977, due to the insistent urging of one bereaved young family at St. John's Hospital in Springfield, Illinois, Sister Jane Marie Lamb, OSF began Share.  Within four months, the first support group met and Share grew greatly under Sr. Jane's leadership and endless dedication. Dr. Glen Davidson, Professor at SIU Springfield School of Medicine was also instrumental in helping Sister Jane Marie change the way that perinatal grief was handled within the hospital community.

When Cathi Lammert, Share's previous Executive Director, visited Sister Jane Marie Lamb after her diagnosis of terminal cancer, Sister Jane Marie expressed about Share's growth: "It was beyond my wildest dreams that this could happen!" She told Cathi that "her life was so full and blessed" due to the ministry of Share. She was grateful to have met so many wonderful people and she was appreciative of all the people who carried on the work of caring for bereaved parents.

Share continues to live Sister Jane Marie's vision and legacy providing support for bereaved families in their darkest times. With over 75 Chapters nationwide, Sister Jane Marie is truly an inspiration within the Share and bereavement communities.

These Precious Babies Changed My Life

Sister Jane Marie Lamb, OSF

It is always a privilege to honor and remember the many precious babies who were real and who were loved. My
time of nearly 30 years journeying with bereaved parents has a been a gifted time for me in more ways than I could
ever tell you. I treasure the memories of these precious babies and of their parents as I saw their courage and deep
love for their child who had died. It was a privilege to share in the precious moments spent with these special babies.
It was through the life and death of one precious little girl, Anna Marie, who was stillborn in the hospital where I had
recently joined the staff as chaplain. This was in 1977 when the average caregiver, including myself, had no
preparation to fall back on during the crisis precipitated by an infant's death. The parents were devastated when
Anna Marie was stillborn. For the first three days, the father was alone, as the mother remained in a coma with
complications and was hospitalized for a month.

Though I had been a Maternity nurse, I had no preparation to deal with grief, at least I didn't think I had any insights into
their pain. Looking back, I realized that I had developed sensitivity to my mother's grief when my older sister died at age 18
- I was only 9 years old at the time. The parents taught me to listen with empathy, to respond to their needs and to be
their advocate. They needed most an avenue to give them options and the opportunity to make their own decisions. My
role became one of journeying with them, to comfort them and to listen. They became my first teachers.

Later when I moved to St. John's Hospital in Springfield, Illinois, through a series of circumstances in this large hospital, I
found myself responding to other parents with a similar experience. From my beginnings with little Anne Marie, I have
continued to journey with hundreds of families in the United States and other continents.

Every child's life is precious and who can be more precious to parents than their infant? The hopes and dreams for this
child are filled with anticipation and joy. Suddenly, their dreams are shattered and the world around them shaken. The
parents find it difficult as they try to make it alone. We as caregivers are privileged to journey with the families during this
time of putting the pieces back together.

THE IMPACT

In the past two years, Share has trained 765 medical professionals and caregivers to provide improved care for families who have experienced the death of a baby. Visit our Education page to explore online training opportunities available today.

Each October, more than 3,000 people attend the Share Walk for Remembrance and Hope to remember their precious babies and raise awareness for this cause. Join our Share Walk, virtually, in person, or in a community near you. 

Four times each year, our local partner Baue Funeral Home holds a burial free of charge for families that have lost their baby before 20 weeks. Share hosts several remembrance events throughout the year, recognizing families' ongoing need to honor their babies. 

Share reaches over 100,000 individuals around the globe through social media, providing support and community because no one should go through pregnancy and infant loss alone. Find us on Instagram @nationalshare and on Facebook, too, at Share Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support. 

Financials

Share Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support is a 501c3 non-profit supported by tax-deductible donations given by dedicated volunteers, individuals, companies, foundations and professionals.

Share does not receive any funding from the State or Federal Government.

STAFF & BOARD

Sarah
Lawrenz, MA
Executive Director
Sarah joined the Share staff in February of 2015, bringing 10 years of experience in the fundraising field. She has an AAS in Network Design, a BA in Communications and a MA in Non-Profit Administration.
Patti
Budnik, BSN, CPLC
Bereavement Care Manager
With over 20 years of NICU and Labor & Delivery nursing experience, Patti has seen first-hand the benefits of Share programs both for her patients and for herself as a professional. She joined the National Share staff in 2013 as the Share Companion program coordinator and a Share educator.
Sarah
Purcell
Development Director
Sarah joined the Share team in August of 2019 as the Director of Development. She is a graduate from Southwestern Illinois College, and comes with over 10 years of Marketing and Development experience. Share's Mission is close to Sarah's heart as she has had personal struggles with pregnancy loss.
Rose
Carlson, BS
Program Director
Rose came to Share in 2002 as a volunteer and eventually joined the staff in 2004. She has a BS in Psychology with a minor in Sociology and her personal experience as a bereaved parent brings an invaluable perspective to her work. Rose manages the Share Memorial events, serves as an educator and the Share Chapter coordinator.
Silvia
Bowman
Spanish Support Group Coordinator
Silvia is a mom, a wife, and an export consultant from Lima, Peru. She is currently co-leading Share Español Esperanza, assisting and inspiring grieving families from the Hispanic community by sharing her journey of loss, hope and deep faith. "My hope is that grieving parents may find comfort in my story and my words."
Jenn
Stachula, BA
Support Group Leader
Jenn is a long-time supporter of Share, and joined the staff in 2011. She has a passion for supporting families and brings with her 15 years of experience in social service. Jenn holds a BA in Theology and Pastoral Ministry.
Sam
Brown, BS
Graphic Designer
Samantha joined Share in October 2016 with a BS in Communication and five years of non-profit experience. She specializes graphic and web design, storytelling, and social media.
Vicki
Kiefer, MBA
Accounting Manger
Vicki joined the Share staff in August 2015, with more than 10 years of experience in Finance and Accounting, Human Resources and Compensation. She first came to know Share in 2007 following two early pregnancy losses. Vicki holds a BS in Finance and a BA in French, and an MBA with Finance and Accounting Analysis concentrations.
Cindy
Swain, BSN
Share Educator
Cindy became involved in Share in 2001, first as a bereaved parent, then volunteer, and joined the staff in 2017. She has a BSN in Nursing and a BS in Biology. She serves as a Share Educator and Administrative Assistant, and supports all aspects of Share's mission.

Share Board of Directors

  • Chris Roberdeau

    President of the Board
    Astronics AES
    Director - Program Management Office

  • Stacey Motley

    Vice President of the Board

  • Megan Rowekamp

    Treasurer
    Inspire Medical Systems, Inc
    Director, Financial Reporting

  • Kevin Fisher

    Secretary
    Cass Commercial Bank
    Loan Coordinator

  • Derek Haake, JD, MBA

    Board Member
    Howard Haake, LLC
    Partner

  • Brian Henry

    Board Member
    CVS

  • Katie Johnson, Esq., CFP

    Board Member

  • Tammy Kneib

    Board Member

  • Andrea Kroll

    Board Member
    Leo Burnett
    Freelance Recruiter

     
     
  • James Running, GPHR

    Board Member
    Associate Director of Employee Relations
    American Bar Association

  • Susan Short

    Board Member
    Baue Funeral Homes
    Embalmer/ Location Manager

  • Betsy Webb

    State Street Bank and Trust
    Vice President, corporate compliance- regulatory policy abs strategy

  • Gary Wellman, PMP

    Board Member
    Parallon
    Director, Integration