To the Editor:

We would like to profoundly thank First Selectman Dan Rosenthal for proclaiming October 15 as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day throughout Newtown.

We are bereaved parents of a stillborn daughter, Tinsley, who came into the world at 32 weeks in December 2017, without a heartbeat because of a rare umbilical cord accident. We soon learned that stillbirth happens more often than many people know, occurring one in 160 pregnancies. This amounts to 70 babies stillborn every single day in the United States.

Promoting awareness of pregnancy and infant loss will increase the likelihood that bereaved families will receive the critical understanding and support they need after the death of their baby. Furthermore, increased awareness will result in improved education and prevention, which may ultimately reduce the incidence of these tragedies.

I have no doubt that my fellow bereaved parents in Newtown will find comfort in having their loss acknowledged by our community. Thank you for honoring our children.

If you would like to join our efforts, please contact us or the Star Legacy Foundation, which is leading the charge in stillbirth awareness, education, and research. Let’s bring more babies home. #WeSpeakTheirNames. #BabyTinsley.

Kathy and Charlie Gardner

47 Walnut Tree Hill Road, Sandy Hook         October 5, 2018