University Hospitals to host Remembrance Walk for families who have experienced the loss of a child

CLEVELAND, Ohio – July is Bereaved Parents Month. To recognize this, Parent Bereavement Programs at University Hospitals MacDonald Women’s and Rainbow Babies & Children’s hospitals, along with the Auxiliary of University Hospitals, are hosting the second annual Remembrance Walk for parents, family members, friends, and UH staff members to come together to remember a precious baby or child who has passed away.

When: Saturday, July 20

• 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. Registration

• 9:00 a.m. Remembrance Program

• 9:15 a.m. One mile walk begins

Where: Cleveland Metroparks Zoo (3900 Wildlife Way, Cleveland)

Why: Losing a child can be extremely traumatic and the grieving process can be overwhelming – especially without an outlet for expressing and talking through your grief. University Hospitals is working to build a safe community for people who have endured the death of a baby or child by providing support and resources for grieving parents and families.

The UH team takes a patient- and family-centered approach to grief support. UH provides personalized resources and recommendations for every family, because grief is a personal experience tailored to families’ unique needs. UH stays connected with families, continuing to provide services and support as needed in the weeks, months and years following a loss. The UH program is supported through a generous gift from the Adler family, which created the UH Joanie and Tom Adler Endowed Director of Parent Bereavement Programs.

About the walk: Legacy-building activities will include opportunities to make a fabric square in memory of a child to be included on the 2024 Remembrance Quilt and a scrapbook page for the annual scrapbook. All materials will be provided at the event. There is no cost to attend. Registration includes a wristband for each attending, providing all-day admission to the Zoo and Rainforest after the walk. Wristbands will be distributed at the Zoo’s Ticket Center. Remembrance walk participants will have access to the Palava Hut from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. that day. To register, visit https://linktr.ee/uhbereavement or same-day walk-up registration will be available.

Questions? Email Allison Remy, MSSA, LISW, The Joanie and Tom Adler Endowed Director of Parent Bereavement Programs: Allison.Remy@UHhospitals.org or call 216-844-8254.