Northumberland County’s 10th Annual Drive to Remember was held in Port Hope on Friday, October 15, 2021.
The event is put on each year with October being Pregnancy and Infant Loss Month and October 15th being Pregnancy and Infant Loss Day.
“We gather in October to remember those lost, support those who have lost, smile, love and keep the memories alive,” said organizer Kim Robinson.
Traditionally the event is called Walk to Remember, but due to COVID, for the last two years people have been in vehicles and starting at the Toronto Road car pool lot, then driving through town to Caldwell Street for a brief ceremony.
The day is based around Pregnancy and Infant loss, but the event is for any loss of a loved one.
Nine members of the Colossal Dance Team performed an emotional dance number in honour of the evening.
Under a steady drizzle of rain at 7 p.m. the group will stood in front of the banner and turned on a light or candle or stayed in their car due to rain and placed the light on their dashboard signalling The International Wave of Light.
On October 15th, everyone around the world, is invited to light a candle at 7pm, in their time zone. By keeping your candle burning for one hour, you will be participating in a worldwide “Wave of Light” in observance of Pregnancy and Infant loss Awareness Day.
Robinson said there is always a stigma around pregnancy loss and infant loss.
“It helps us for healing for the loss of our own daughter. And it helps others heal. I’ve talked to many, many families that love this, need this and having a day to remember.”