Baby Loss Awareness Week 2024

Baby Loss Awareness Week, held annually between 9th – 15th October, is an opportunity for bereaved parents, family members and friends to commemorate the all-too-brief lives of their babies and pregnancies, knowing that thousands of other families around the world understand how they feel and will be doing the same.

The week also presents the chance for people to talk openly about the subject of and raise awareness of baby loss and pregnancy loss.

2024 marks the 22nd year of Baby Loss Awareness Week (BLAW) in the UK. 

Throughout Baby Loss Awareness Week we want to create a space for you to share and feel supported, whatever your experience of loss may be, about how you’ve coped, what helped (and what didn’t) so we can all learn how to better look after each other as a community and know how to get the right kind of support when we need it.

Those affected by pregnancy and baby loss tell us how important it is that they each find a way to remember their experience in a way that suits them. Some join with others at special services organised by their local hospital or a local support organisation, some find solace in events organised by their faith community while others will remember alone in a way unique to them.

It is important to remember there is no right or wrong way, and it can change as the years pass too.

Together, we care.

The week culminates, as always, with Baby Loss Awareness Day on 15th October and the poignant global Wave of Light at 7pm. During this wave of light, we remember the babies that have died during pregnancy, at, during or after birth by lighting a candle at 7pm and leaving it to burn for at least one hour. You can also choose to share your candle on our social media channels, if you so wish. However you choose to mark your loss, you will be uniting with others across the world in honour of those pregnancies and babies who lit up our lives for such a short time and we hope this event can bring some comfort. Our lavender and jasmine scented EPT candle is available to purchase on our shop.

The Baby Loss Awareness pin badge is available in our shop. This badge is shared by all of the Baby Loss Awareness Campaign collaborating charities and not-for-profit organisations.

Our attractive purple five-pointed badge helps to raise awareness.

You can turn Pink & Blue for Baby Loss Awareness Week raising awareness of pregnancy and baby loss.

Whether you would like to approach a local landmark or building or turn your home, office, or even your self pink & blue, you can find inspiration here!

Your stories help raise awareness of the impacts surrounding ectopic pregnancy loss and help others to understand that they are not alone. If you would like to share your own story on our website, you can find out more on our blog. 

As ectopic pregnancy occurs in early pregnancy, often prior to 12 weeks, there can be so little tangible to remember our losses by. Some people choose to create their own unique ways to commemorate their pregnancies, losses, and what could have been.

Marking loss and important dates might not be for everyone. Whether or not to choose to do something is personal, just as each individual’s experiences, grief, and reactions are unique. Above all, do what feels right for you and know that we are here to support you.

Our adorable plush EPT teddy bear is now available to purchase on our online shop and makes a meaningful keepsake for anyone affected by pregnancy loss.

The bear comes with a certificate of commemoration which can be personalised by us with your name(s) and date(s) of importance. Please add a note when placing your order with the information you would like included. Alternatively, we can send the certificate blank for you to complete as you wish.

Our first in-person event will take place on Saturday 12 October. The personalised route for our EPT group will take in Mam Tor which holds stunning views and tells a story of strength through adversity.  

Mam Tor is one of the highest peaks in the Peak District at 512m (1,696m) and certainly one of the most iconic. While frequent landslips in its eastern face have tried to erode its stature, despite this, the hill has overcome these setbacks and continued to stand strong and proud as a breathtaking and inspirational landmark. 

Registration is priced at £25 per person (early bird price).

Spaces are limited and registration is essential to take part. Register soon to take advantage of the Early Bird Discounted Price!  

REGISTER HERE

Whether you decide to participate, quietly light a candle or not, we wish that the week passes peacefully for all and that it brings another little piece of healing.

Every year, we support thousands of people affected by loss through ectopic pregnancy via our phone helpline, our online forum, by email and our support groups via Zoom.

TO HELP US CONTINUE THIS CRUCIAL WORK YOU CAN MAKE A DONATION

Read more about our activities during Baby Loss Awareness Week 2023.