October is National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Month, and a vigil will be held in Wyandotte County to commemorate babies of Wyandotte County families.
Project HOPE, Wyandotte County’s Fetal Infant Mortality Review, seeks to raise awareness of high levels of pregnancy and infant loss in the county and also provide a space for families to both grieve and celebrate their babies’ lives.
From 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 12, a candlelight vigil will be held in Huron Park, located in downtown KCK on Ann Ave, between 6th and 7th Street.
Wyandotte County has one of the highest infant mortality rates in the state, being one of three counties where infant deaths exceeded triple digits between the combined years of 2009 and 2013, according to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. With these devastating statistics, there is an urgent need to help reverse the trend, officials said.
“The death rate among our babies is unacceptable, but fortunately we have a number of committed and compassionate members of our community who are ready to make headway on this issue,” Mayor Mark Holland said. “I can only imagine the overwhelming grief that would accompany the loss of a child, and I want to thank Project HOPE for rallying around these women and families and offering an outlet for support.”
The goal of the vigil is to be able to help connect those who have experienced a loss either recently or in the past with a larger network of support. The event will consist of registration, decorating bags with candles in remembrance of each baby, and other special tributes of music, poetry and prayer. Candles will be available, and warm drinks will be served.
The event is being organized by the Wyandotte County FIMR (Project H.O.P.E.) and sponsored by the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Healthy Communities Wyandotte. For more information, contact Jennifer Allen-Caudle from the Wyandotte County Health Department at 913-573-6759.