Our story…
Every year, our family participates in the 5K Angel Dash for Rachel’s Gift in honor of our daughter, Marlee. 🩷👼🏼
On Christmas Day 2022, at almost 38 weeks, we found out that Marlee no longer had a heartbeat. In a matter of moments, we went from preparing to bring our baby girl home to facing the unimaginable reality. Rachel’s Gift was there for us from the very beginning.
During the most devastating and disorienting days of our lives, they provided our family with resources, guidance and support. And their care didn’t end when we left the hospital. Later, their support groups gave us a place to navigate grief alongside other families who were experiencing similar losses.
In those support groups, they help families experiencing pregnancy or infant loss even if they didn’t give birth at one of their affiliated hospitals. It was shocking to hear some of the nightmares other families expierenced in their medical care during one of the hardest moments of their life. One of the things that makes Rachel’s Gift’s work so incredibly important is that they also provide education to their affiliated hospital’s staff on how to compassionately care for families experiencing pregnancy and infant loss.
When you are living through one of the worst moments of your life, the way you are cared for matters. The words people use matter. The support you receive matters. Having people around you who understand how to hold space for both the birth of your baby and the reality of their death matters more than I can explain.
Rachel’s Gift helps make sure families like ours don’t have to walk into those moments completely alone.
That’s why this organization will always hold such a special place in our hearts, and why we continue to walk and fundraise for the Angel Dash every year in Marlee’s memory. 🩷
If you feel called to support a cause that has personally made such a profound difference for our family, please consider donating to Rachel’s Gift. Your donation helps them continue providing resources, support and compassionate care to families experiencing pregnancy and infant loss, while educating the healthcare professionals caring for them.
For Marlee. Always. 👼🏼🩷
