On the evening of October 15, 2025, the exterior walls of the Oakland Medical Center were lit with lavender lights in honor of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day.

The Labor and Delivery Department organized the Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day event in the lobby atrium to welcome staff and family members to provide a safe, healing space for sharing personal stories, remembering loved ones, supporting each other and making connections. One family member read a beautiful poem to honor an infant loss and each participant lit a candle to create a wave of light.

Labor and delivery manager Shanelle House, DNP, NE-BE, RNC-OB, shared, “Too many families grieve in silence, sometimes never coming to terms with their loss. Our goal is to help others relate to our loss, know what to say, do or not say, not do and help families live with their loss, not ‘get over’ their loss.”

Staff are also encouraged to attend and receive support, as they share in the experience of the loss of their patients. This event is created to increase awareness and understanding about the pain of this loss and create a space to support those in the community who may be grieving.