It is estimated that 1 in 4 women will experience a miscarriage or pregnancy loss. Pregnancy, infant and child loss affects countless families. Being a bereaved parent is a path that no one should walk alone.
Please help us support families in Ottawa who experience the devastating loss of a child.
Aaron’s Butterfly Run is a family walk/run and a 5km walk/run in Ottawa, has been created in order to support families who have experienced a loss during pregnancy or the loss of a child by:
- Increasing community awareness and encourage dialogue about pregnancy and child loss;
- Providing an opportunity to create connections and community; and
- Providing funds for hospice and bereavement programs at Roger Neilson House in Ottawa.
Aaron Isaiah Robert was the beloved son of Rob and Rachel Samulack of Ottawa. In February 2016, Aaron was diagnosed at 19 weeks’ gestation with bilateral renal agenesis (meaning no kidneys). This condition is fatal after birth.
Rob and Rachel decided to continue the pregnancy and received a referral to the Perinatal Hospice Program at Roger Neilson House. The Perinatal Hospice program provides support including assistance and empowerment with making medical decisions about the pregnancy, delivery and care for the baby; counselling and emotional support; assisting with memory making and ongoing bereavement care. Roger’s House also has a Perinatal Loss Parent Bereavement Support Group for parents who have lost an infant to a stillbirth (over 20 weeks gestation) or a neonatal death (up to the first 28 days of life).
Aaron was born on Father’s Day, June 19 2016. He had strawberry blond hair and a button nose like his older brother Gabriel. Rob, Rachel and Gabriel spent 100 precious minutes with Aaron before he passed away. It was sad and it was hard. But, it was beautiful. Baby Aaron was surrounded by love and passed away in the arms of his parents. Aaron’s Butterfly Run has been created as a way for family and friends to remember all the butterfly babies and to support bereaved families in Ottawa/Gatineau.