In recognition of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center’s Leaves of Hope Bereavement Program invites the community to a special Lantern Ceremony, offering an evening of remembrance, healing, and support. This event aims to honor the lives lost too soon and provide comfort to families who have experienced the loss of a pregnancy or infant.
The Lantern Ceremony will occur at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 15, by the hospital’s pond. Attendees will light lanterns and share stories, creating a space for collective grief, hope, and connection. In the event of rain, the ceremony will move indoors to the hospital cafeteria on the lower level.
Event Details:
• Lantern Ceremony in Honor of Pregnancy & Infant Loss
Date: Tuesday, October 15
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location: Pond behind Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center , 3100 Oak Grove Rd, Poplar Bluff
Rain location: Hospital cafeteria, lower level
The Leaves of Hope Bereavement Program, led by the compassionate team from PBRMC’s Women and Children’s Services (WCS), provides vital emotional and practical support to families navigating the loss of a pregnancy or infant. The program assists in creating lasting memories through photographs, handprints, footprints, and memory boxes, all helping families begin their healing journey. Funded by donations, this program ensures families receive the care and attention they need during a challenging time.
“We understand the immense heartache families face after such a loss, and our mission is to ensure they feel supported, not only through immediate care but also through opportunities for remembrance,” said Donna Hill, team lead for PBRMC’s Bereavement Committee. “The Lantern Ceremony is a way for our community to come together in love, hope, and healing.”
To support the program, WCS will sell specially designed t-shirts now through October in honor of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness. The t-shirts, which have three designs, will be available for $25 each. During the first two weeks of October, shirts will also be sold in the hospital cafeteria, with all proceeds benefiting the Leaves of Hope Bereavement Program.
For more information about attending the Lantern Ceremony, purchasing t-shirts, or making donations, please contact Heather Joiner at 573-776-9632 or visit PBRMC.com and click on “Events.”