DECATUR, Ill. (WAND)- The 2025 Share Walk for Remembrance and Hope took place Saturday. Families gathered at Nelson Park to walk in honor of their babies who died from stillbirth, miscarriage, or infant death.
"That's a balance that you have to find often when you're struggling with miscarriage or stillbirth or infant loss, is that constant battle of joy and sorrow," said Shannon Jedlicka.
Jedlicka was pregnant with twins in 2018. After going to a checkup, she and her husband learned one of the babies did not have a heartbeat. However, she still carried both babies to delivery, and her daughter, Ella Rose, did not make it.
"I'm so sad to see that this many people are here, because I know that they are suffering the loss as painful as mine," said Jedlicka. "But at the same time, I'm so happy to see everyone here because they're here to support each other and to remember our babies."
For 10 years, the Share Walk for Remembrance and Hope has provided a safe place for families to find peace in their grief. Hospital Sisters Health Care Systems holds a memorial after the walk; families meet by the lakeshore and hear their babies' names read aloud.
Karla Marshall works for HSHS as a part of the spiritual care team.
"People don't always want to talk about it. So, when we have these events and we have these times together, it's just a powerful way to look around and see, well, I'm not alone," said Marshall.
For more information on donating to the walk, you can visit the HSHS St. Mary's website.Â
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