The Butterfly Run Ottawa/Gatineau
  • Home
  • About
    • Vision
    • History
    • Executive Committee
    • Media
    • Upcoming Events & Fundraisers >
      • Paint Nites - May 15 & 17, 2018
      • Film Night & Panel Discussion - June 1 2018
      • Silent Auction - June 1-3, 2018
      • Spinning Class Fundraiser - April & May 2018
      • Charlotte and Théo's Butterfly Run - October 13, 2018
      • Butterfly Wing Fundraiser - Ongoing
    • Past Events >
      • Film Night & Panel Discussion 2017
      • Silent Auction 2017
      • Paint Nite 2017
      • The Butterfly Run 2017 >
        • Aaron's Story
  • Sponsor Us
    • Our 2018 Sponsors & Partners
    • Our 2017 Sponsors & Partners
  • Connect
  • Resources
  • Blog
Picture

recap of the pregnancy & infant loss film night & panel discussion in ottawa/gatineau

5/5/2017

2 Comments

 
From the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU to everyone who supported our 1st-ever Pregnancy & Infant Loss Film Night & Panel Discussion on Friday April 28th, 2017!

The event was 1 week ago today, so in case you didn't have a chance to attend the event, we thought we'd share a bit of a recap:
  • We viewed 4 short films on pregnancy and infant loss - links to the films are shared below so you still have an opportunity to view and/or share them;
  • There was a panel discussion which covered a variety of topics from parenting after a loss to teaching compassion for health care workers;
  • We had a bake sale with all proceeds supporting Aaron's Butterfly Run; and
  • We shared a sneak peek for our upcoming Silent Auction in support of our Run (if you haven't already, please join our Facebook group to participate in the Silent Auction)!

Overall, we got a sense that many people felt a sense of relief to be in a room full of understanding people where they could talk openly about their losses. It was interesting to hear how many people came to the event because they knew someone who lost a pregnancy or an infant and were looking to find ways to better support them (thank you to those amazing people in our support network).

We were very moved by many people in our community who got up to speak at the event. Some of those people just experienced losses of their own, as recent as two weeks previously. Our hearts go out to them as they experience their loss, but we hope they know how much support they have in our community. Even if our event helped just these people, even just a little, we feel it was a success. 

Here is some of the other feedback we've heard so far:
"Thank you so much for organizing this event. When we discovered it was taking place on the one year anniversary of our daughter's stillbirth we knew we'd be there. We especially appreciated the film about father's grieving and the fact that that young couple found the help they needed. You're hard work and dedication to this cause is making a different. Thank you again!"
"I just want to thank you for the opportunity to attend the Film Night last night. It was such a range of experiences; compassion, education, wealth of knowledge and strength. One of the things that struck me the most, was the nurturing environment of the church and its community. I think such a welcome encouraged dialogue and reflection and I am sure helped the couple who had lost their baby two weeks ago,to come forward and see help and support. So thank you."
We value your feedback on this event, and our cause. If you have additional feedback for us, feel free to comment here, or send your feedback to butterflyrunottawa@gmail.com

For those of you who weren't able to attend the event in person, you can still have a chance to view the videos here:
100 Minutes with Aaron
An Ottawa-based family's experience with Perinatal Hospice. This film will explore Rachel and Rob Samulack's journey with Perinatal Hospice at Roger Neilson House and the 100 precious minutes that they spent with their son Aaron Samulack.
When The Storm Hits
Created by the University of Quebec in Gatineau. Five fathers share their experience of their child's death and the tools that have helped them to live through this storm. These stories can inspire bereaved families, professionals' practices toward men, as well as the development of policies and services for them. .
Jacob
A film on pregnancy and infant loss by Shawn Lovering on his mother's experience with pregnancy loss.
PAIL
Link to be added in the future (we're sorry that it's not publicly available at this time)

Again, THANK YOU so much to everyone who supported this event!

Thank you for supporting individuals and families who have or will experience pregnancy and infant loss. Ottawa/Gatineau is an amazing place to live and we have such an amazing community!

Thank you again to our panelists, including:
  • Lynn Grandmaison Dumond, Nurse Practitioner with the Roger Neilson House Perinatal Hospice Program
  • Viola Polomeno, Registered Nurse, Ph.D, Professor at the University of Ottawa, specializing in Perinatal Education;
  • Alex Pigeon, Bereaved Father and blogger;
  • Sarah McIlwham-Shipley, Doula specializing in perinatal loss with MotherWit Ottawa; and
  • Rachel Samulack, Bereaved Mother and Aaron’s Butterfly Run Ottawa/Gatineau Organizer (she isn't writing this post, so we still get to thank her :-) ). 

Thank you to our volunteers, including all of our wonderful bake sale contributors!

Thank you to everyone who made and purchased butterfly wings! If you didn't have a chance to purchase a pair of wings and you'd still like to, they are still available at 3 Sisters Bakeshop & Gourmet Creations for $30/pair. Thank you to Fabrications Ottawa for donating the organic cotton for these wings! All proceeds are supporting the Run!

And last but not least, thank you to everyone who attended the event!

2 Comments

Silent auction in support of aaron's butterfly run

5/4/2017

0 Comments

 
We're having a Silent Auction to support Aaron's Butterfly Run!

The Silent Auction will happen online, in this Facebook group, on June 2nd and 3rd, 2017. Feel free to join and share our group! We're hoping to have at least 700 members by the end of May, so we'd encourage you to invite your friends and family!

Proceeds from the Silent Auction will benefit Aaron's Butterfly Run Ottawa/Gatineau, in support of families who've experienced pregnancy or infant loss. Proceeds will be used to cover costs including race signage, kits, and food for the runners and walkers, among other costs.

We're also still looking for donations to the silent auction. 
Your donation could be something as simple as a gift certificate to your business.  All donations are greatly appreciated! If you're able to donate to our auction, any and all donations will be greatly appreciated!

Thank you to those who've donated thus far! Stay tuned to the Facebook group where we will be posting about all the items available and where you'll have an opportunity to bid on items!
Picture
Also, be sure to check out the other events, such as our Paint Nite, which are supporting Aaron's Butterfly Run!
0 Comments

rachel and rob SAMuLACK'S interview with ctv ottawa

5/3/2017

0 Comments

 
Yesterday, Rachel and Rob Samulack (parents of Aaron Samulack and coordinators of Aaron's Butterfly Run) had the opportunity to talk to CTV Ottawa about the Perinatal Loss Bereavement Support Group at Roger Neilson House.
Click here to view the CTV Ottawa Interview
Here's what Rachel and Rob have to say about their experience with the Perinatal Loss Bereavement Support Group:
"Through our group in fall 2016, we met other parents who also faced the devastating loss of their much loved babies.  We shared our pregnancy and birth stories, our hopes, and fears for the future in eight sessions.  We continued meeting with our support group on a Facebook group and in-person after the official support group ended in December 2016.  We shared many highs and lows as a group and are looking forward to welcoming two new little additions to the group later in 2017.  This fall, the parents in our support group will gather at Roger Neilson House for the annual star ceremony.  Each baby will be given a star with their name on it in the play room. There is a lovely painting of butterflies in the middle of the wall of the stars.  It's a bright, beautiful space where our stars will shine down on us and remind us that though they are gone, our babies are not forgotten."
"You are my angel, my darling, my star... and my love will find you, wherever you are." 
- Nancy Tillman, Wherever You Are, My Love Will Find You

For other perinatal loss resources in Ottawa and Gatineau, in addition to Roger Neilson House, check out the Resources tab on our website. 

​All proceeds from Aaron's Butterfly Run will go to Roger Neilson House.

0 Comments

Annual Live Butterfly Release and Walk to Remember

5/2/2017

0 Comments

 
As we've chatted about before, butterflies can have a lot of meaning for those who've experienced a loss. The metamorphosis of the butterfly is a powerful symbol in so many ways for us when we are grieving. 

Each spring, Bereaved Families of Ottawa (BFO) holds a special community memorial and fundraising event - a butterfly release and walk to remember. This year's event is on Sunday May 28th, 2017 from 3-6 PM at Beachwood National Memorial Center. It will include 
a memorial ceremony, live music, an opportunity to speak the names of loved ones lost, the butterfly release, and a memorial walk. For more info on this event, and to pre-register, check out BFO. The Ottawa Sun also recently posted an article on the event. 

BFO is also an excellent resource for those experiencing pregnancy or infant loss. 
They offer a recurring, year-round, perinatal loss support group on the 1st Tuesday of every month from 7:00-9:00 PM (there is a support group tonight!). No registration is required. For those who are able to contribute, they request a $10 donation/person or $20 donation/family; however, all are welcome regardless of the ability to pay.

For more information, you can connect with BFO here:
  • Website: http://www.bfo-ottawa.org
  • Telephone: 613-567-4278
  • E-mail: office@bfo-ottawa.org
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bfo.ottawa/
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
0 Comments

Bill 141: Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness, Research and Care Act

5/1/2017

0 Comments

 
Incredibly good news in the Ontario 2017 Budget which announced expanded funding for women across Ontario who experience pregnancy and infant loss. Below is the paragraph in the Budget announcing increased funding for women across Ontario for expanded health and care programs. Great news for everyone that has fought so hard for improved perinatal health care.

"The Province continues to invest in and support families who have experienced pregnancy or infant loss by expanding support services and improving the collection of data to support the commitments under the Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness, Research and Care Act, 2015."

Haven't heard of Bill 141? Here's some more info for you:
  • In November 2015 MPP Mike Colle introduced an unprecedented Bill in support of pregnancy and infant loss. The Bill was unanimously approved by all political parties and passed into law in December 2015. 
  • Bill 141 now requires the Ontario Ministry of Health to undertake research and analysis on pregnancy loss and infant death that assists those, including mothers and families, who experience such loss and that informs the establishment or expansion of programs related to such loss.
  • The Bill also officially proclaims October 15 as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day.
  • Bill 141 is a critical opportunity to improve awareness, research, support and care for families in need who have experienced pregnancy and infant loss.

Here's how you can be part of the movement...
  • Call, e-mail or write your local MPP, the Minister of Health and the Premier about why this bill is so important;
  • Share your support on social media;
  • Spread the word to friends and family to urge them to do the same!

For more information and news updates:
  • Visit: www.pailnetwork.ca/bill141
  • Like the Facebook page: Bill 141 - Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Act
  • Call: 1-888-301-7276

Picture
0 Comments

Thank you Little Lotus Yoga!

5/1/2017

0 Comments

 
Thank you to Amanda and her team at Little Lotus Yoga (LLY) who have been great supporters of Aaron's Butterfly Run! LLY will be leading our warm up at Aaron's Butterfly Run on Saturday October 14th, 2017. LLY runs fertility yoga classes, prenatal yoga classes, family yoga classes and even Hike!Play!Yoga! sessions for kids from 5-10 years old. LLY is also organizing a FREE Run Club program that will prepare you to complete a 5K run.
Picture
0 Comments
Forward>>

    Archives

    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    November 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017

    Categories

    All
    Aaron's Butterfly Run
    Announcement
    Bill 141
    Butterfly Babies
    Butterly Box
    Contest
    Event
    Film Night
    Giveaway
    Initiative
    Interview
    Loss Story
    Media
    Paint Nite
    Panel Discussion
    Perinatal Loss
    Personal Story
    Pregnancy After Loss
    Research
    Resource Highlight
    Silent Auction
    Sponsor
    Support Group
    Volunteers

    RSS Feed

Powered by
  • Home
  • About
    • Vision
    • History
    • Executive Committee
    • Media
    • Upcoming Events & Fundraisers >
      • Paint Nites - May 15 & 17, 2018
      • Film Night & Panel Discussion - June 1 2018
      • Silent Auction - June 1-3, 2018
      • Spinning Class Fundraiser - April & May 2018
      • Charlotte and Théo's Butterfly Run - October 13, 2018
      • Butterfly Wing Fundraiser - Ongoing
    • Past Events >
      • Film Night & Panel Discussion 2017
      • Silent Auction 2017
      • Paint Nite 2017
      • The Butterfly Run 2017 >
        • Aaron's Story
  • Sponsor Us
    • Our 2018 Sponsors & Partners
    • Our 2017 Sponsors & Partners
  • Connect
  • Resources
  • Blog
✕