Our Lady of Lourdes to go pink

OUR Lady of Lourdes Hospital will light up pink for a very special cause on Thursday October 15.

October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness month and the Remembrance Day is on 15th October, Féileacáin have organised for buildings around Ireland to show their support by lighting up blue and pink on the night. Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Millmount, Dundalk Town Hall and County Hall will light up on that date to support their campaign.

Locally this has been organised by Catherine Smith, Clinical Midwife Manager in Bereavement Loss in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital.

‘Like most people around the world bereaved parents have been badly affected by COVID 19. So this year we hope turning buildings and landmarks blue and pink will raise awareness and encourage conversations about baby loss.

‘ This in turn will give bereaved parents and families an opportunity to talk about

their precious babies, and provide reassurance that their babies are still being remembered.

‘I’d like to thank Cllr. Michelle Hall for her support and Louth County Council along with the Maintenance Dept in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital,’ says Catherine.

Feileachain, a volunteer-led organisation for the Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Association of Ireland formed in 2009.

They aim to provide each Maternity Unit and Children’s Hospital in Ireland with Gifts of Remembrance, a befriending and support service and regular meetings. Their Gifts of Remembrance are free of charge and include items such as Memory Boxes, clay imprints of feet or hands, candles, Cuddle Cots, sibling support and hand knitted clothes for tiny infants.

Individuals can also remember and honour all babies gone too soon by lighting a candle at 7pm and posting a photo using #Feileacainwaveoflight