ORGANIZATION PROFILE: SHARE - Pregnancy and Loss Support, Inc.

MISSION:

"The mission of Share Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support, Inc. is to serve those whose lives are touched by the tragic death of a baby through pregnancy loss, stillbirth or in the first few months of life.

The primary purpose is to provide support toward positive resolution of grief experienced at the time of, or following the death of a baby. This support encompasses emotional, physical, spiritual, and social healing, as well as sustaining the family unit.

The secondary purpose of Share is to provide information, education, and resources on the needs and rights of bereaved parents and siblings. The objective is to aid those in the community, including family, friends, employers, members of the congregation, caregivers, and others in their supportive role."

HISTORY

"In the fall of 1977, Share began at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, Illinois by Sister Jane Marie Lamb, OSF, and several hospital staffers due to the lack of resources experienced by one bereaved young family. Within four months, the first support group met. Over the past thirty years Share has grown to become an international organization with nearly 100 chapters.

This global movement has vastly improved the standards of care and rights towards bereaved families experiencing the death of a baby during the pregnancy, at birth or as an infant. Share is recognized as a principal provider for bereavement materials and resources. Also, Share is a leading educator and consultant for caregivers, clergy, funeral directors and the media. The National Share Office is supported primarily by donations, which help cover all the services offered including free resources sent to bereaved families, an annual subscription to Share’s newsletter, and our interactive website with twelve message boards.

In 1992, the National Share Office was moved near the campus of SSM St. Joseph Health Center in St. Charles, Missouri. The administration of SSM St. Joseph Health Center was instrumental in providing Share a wonderful home.

Currently, The National Share Office is run by fourteen Board of Directors with Mandy Murphey, a Fox 2 news anchor, as president. Executive Director, Cathi Lammert leads seven staff members in the Share National Office."

Although Share is an American organization, the resources available on this website are amazing. There are chat rooms, message boards, a link to an informative blog, as well as downloadable and purchasable articles discussing the grief experienced by different members of the family (children, parents, grandparents), memory creation and ways to support a grieving parent.

The Share online catalogue also provides a variety of books, videos and other resources in abundance and include healing journals and remembrance boxes.

Please click here to link to Share's website.