About Walk to Remember

Walk to Remember was created to give bereaved families the opportunity to honour the lives of their babies in an atmosphere of acceptance and celebration, to increase awareness of the incidence of baby loss in its various forms, and to raise funds that will help ensure newly baby-lost parents receive the supportive care they need.

Our Story

When we were still in the hospital, we wanted to find a way to make Lincoln's life have a lasting meaning. We knew that we would never forget him, but was there somehow his legacy could benefit others, too?

The ideas started to percolate. We knew we wanted to create a place where people could celebrate, not just mourn, their precious babies. And a community of people who could help each other on their path to healing. When we learned about Walk to Remember – and discovered that one didn't yet exist in Alberta – we knew we'd found our mission.

As is always the case, anything that we have given has been given back tenfold; we've met wonderful people who have supported us and inspired us in so many ways, and we thank them.

We wish we could take away the pain of every parent who has ever experienced the death of a child, but we know that is impossible. But we hope that by sharing your pain, we will help you bear it, and by remembering your child with you, your recollected joys will be all the greater.

Yours,
Jocelyn and Chris

History of the Walk

The first ever Walk to Remember was held in Chicago, in 1986, and in the decades following the idea spread. Now, tens of thousands of people in the U.S. walk annually, at events that are held on various weekends in September and October. But the movement was relatively unknown in Canada.

In 2008, just over 400 people attended Edmonton's first Walk to Remember. By Year Two, that number had almost doubled – clearly, the event had struck a chord with people whose lives have been forever changed by the life and death of an unforgettable baby.

While Walk participants share a common grief, the Edmonton event is not a sad one. Together we celebrate and remember our babies in a gentle, joyous environment featuring names in chalk, balloons, sweet treats, flowers and friends.

In just two years, we've raised more than $25,000 for programs that support grieving families. Our main charitable partner is the Lois Hole Hospital for Women, which now has a dedicated Walk to Remember Quiet Room on its third floor. We've also given away five hundred brand-new teddy bears to help comfort families experiencing a fresh bereavement.

In 2010, Edmonton's Walk to Remember was nominated for a Laurel Award, recognizing innovation and creativity in non-profit organizations.