Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness:
Raising awareness in October and always
History of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month
In 1988, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed October as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month [Proclamation 5890]. Tragically, each year approximately one million pregnancies in the United States end in early pregnancy loss, stillbirth, or the death of the newborn child.
Share Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support, Inc. is a leading voice in raising awareness surrounding baby loss while honoring and remembering all babies that have gone too soon. Each October, Share invites our community to engage in our social media awareness campaign, participate in the International Wave of Light, attend the annual Share Walk for Remembrance & Hope in St. Charles, MO, as well as chapter walks across the nation.
We fully believe that pregnancy and infant loss have been all too often suffered in silence, and we strive to shatter that silence and give voice to the lived experience of bereaved parents. By sharing our stories, online and in person, we let our larger community learn how to better serve those struggling through the grief that comes with losing a baby. When we raise awareness, we raise understanding; as understanding grows, empathy and compassion do as well.
Together, we can raise the standard of care for families going through this tremendous loss and ensure that no one has to suffer in silence or alone.
October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month
In October, we focus on sharing the stories of our precious babies. We share our love, share our stories to break the silence surrounding pregnancy and infant loss. So many people have grieved their loss alone, wrapped in the stigma that this loss should be silently endured.
Raising our voices raises awareness, and raises the standard of quality bereavement care for every family enduring the loss of a baby.
Many families suffer in silence and long to know they are not walking this path alone. As part of our mission to provide support, we invite everyone to be a part of Share's awareness campaign.
Help raise awareness this October. Speak your child's name. Share your story. Share a graphic that speaks to your heart and your experience. Share your voice with the world to create change, foster understanding, shatter the silence surrounding pregnancy and infant loss. Your voice may help someone feel less alone and lead them to greater support.
1 in 4 families find themselves in need of support after the death of baby. Share is a place to find hope & healing.
A bereaved father shares his experience receiving Share's support after the loss of this son, Finn.
Thousands of people gather each year at the Share Walk for Remembrance and Hope to honor and celebrate their babies who are gone too soon.
Media Kit
Since 1977, Share has been at the forefront of perinatal bereavement support, pioneering programs that continue to inform and strengthen compassionate care nationwide. As leaders in this field, we are deeply committed to providing compassionate support to families who have experienced pregnancy or infant loss. This page includes organizational information, leadership bios, impact data, and approved media assets to assist with accurate coverage of our work.
For media inquiries, please contact Emily Swain: eswain@nationalshare.org
Awareness Month Event Calendar
International Wave of Light
October 15th, 7:00 pm
Participate in the International Wave of Light by lighting a candle at 7 pm local time in remembrance of all babies gone too soon. Keeping your candle lit for at least one hour will help create a continuous “wave of light” across all time zones, covering the entire globe. Posting a photo of your candle on social media also raises awareness and creates a virtual wave of light-- showing your families and friends the enduring power of your love.
25th Annual Share Walk for Remembrance of Hope
Participate in person or virtually-- join over 2,000 families walking in memory and honor of their beloved babies. Registration opens July 1, 2026.
Saturday, October 17, 2026 at 10:00 am
Location: Frontier Park in St. Charles, MO.
Can't make it to St. Charles? Join us online-- the walk ceremony will be livestreamed, wear your walk t-shirt and share a photo from wherever you are in the world. Tag your photos #ShareWalk2026 and share your walk with bereaved parents from all over the United States and all corners of the globe.
Find Support Near You
Share has more than 65 Share chapters across the country. View our state list to find a local support group or companion in your area.
Phone support is always available at National Share during hours of operation.