Butterfly Run Quinte

The Butterfly Run Quinte was started in 2016 by three local moms wanting to fundraise and support families who have experienced a loss during pregnancy or the loss of a child.

As with many local events, we had to cancel the 2020 run due to Covid-19 precautions in the community. Because we feel the event is about much more than running, the cancellation of the 2020 event was done with a heavy heart. Cancelling the run meant we were losing our connection to other families dealing with loss and also going without the community support we receive. The run was never about raising money for us, but about creating a safe space to grieve and remember together.

With this in mind, we have decided to move forward with a new event for the 2021 year. We are hosting a virtual run with a twist!

You might be asking yourself, how is this different from other virtual events this year? Well, in addition to hosting the event, the 2021 virtual run will also act as our unveiling event for our planned Butterfly Run monument to be located in Belleville. The idea behind the Butterfly Run Monument is to provide a spot for families to visit and pay respect to their loved ones. We can’t wait for you to see it!

Please join us for a walk or run between May1st & May 16th, whenever and wherever you can. Post a picture, share a moment, spread the word.

May 2nd is International Bereaved Parents Day

May 9th is Mother’s Day

Funds collected for the 2021 season will be directed toward the Child Bereavement Fund, that benefits the paediatric bereavement fund for Quinte Health Care. A portion will also be given to the Pregnancy and Infant Loss Network (PAIL Network) which provides free peer-led, local group and individual support services to bereaved families.

From the three previous runs, Barb, Beth and Loralee have provided over 2,500 kits to Quinte 7 and ER departments for Quinte Health Care (Belleville, Picton, Trenton and Bancroft). Compassionate care training was also provided for hospital staff, and equipment was purchased for Quinte 7/Labour and Delivery. We have also provided a cuddle cot for Belleville General Hospital and Kingston General Hospital which allows families to spend more time with their baby.

This year we will have special custom made 2021 medals for all finishers included with your registration.

T shirts will be available for an additional fee (men, women and children sizing will be available)

*** For the 2021 event we will not be partnering with the Belleville General Hospital Foundation, and therefore we will not be able to provide tax refundable receipts for donations. We are learning and growing as an organization and wanted to keep the event going for our local loss community. We are hopeful to share announcements in 2021 about our growth and plans going forward.

A huge shout out and thank you to Bay of Quinte Mutual Insurance for their donations towards the development of the monument, without their generous support in memory of Katelyn Wiersma we wouldn’t have been able to make our vision a reality.

We would also like to recognize Twisted Mounty and 2Xtreme Signs and Graphics for their help in the creation of our 2021 event shirts.