About October 15th

 In October of 1988, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed October as National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month.  "When a child loses a 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 any way to describe them.  This month recognizes the loss so many parents experience across the United States and around the World.  It is also meant to inform and provide resources  for parents who have lost children due to miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, molar pregnancy, still births, birth defects, SIDS and other causes."  (Blue Mountain Arts)  

  Robyn Bear and Lisa Brown envisioined a day when all grieving parents could come together and be surrounded by love and support from their friends and families, a day where the community could better understand their pain and learn how to reach out to those who are grieving.  Since October had already been proclaimed as "Awareness Month", a day was chosen in the middle of the month as "Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day".  It is asked that at 7:00 p.m., around the world, in all time zones, everyone join in a candle lighting ceremony.   

  On September 28, 2006, House Concurrent Resolution #222 was brought forth by Congressman Tom Latham from Iowa.  The House Concurrent Resolution was passed with an amendment, including a new preamble, to House Resolution #254 passed by the House of Representatives on October 4th, 2001, supporting the goals and ideals of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. You can watch the Video of Congress on their website www.october15th.com.

  The families of MADD-SAAC would also like to request of our surrounding communities in the Kansas City metro area to drive with their headlights on and leave their porch lights on, on Monday, October 15th.  We also ask everyone to support Awareness Month by tying ribbons of blue and pink around trees, poles, etc...