QUINCY, ILL. -- A local support group for parents who've lost children is at a crossroads. The group is called Share. It meets tonight, February 9 at 7:00 p.m. at Blessing Hospital College of Nursing in Quincy.
The local branch is affiliated with a national organization called Share, Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support Group. Its mission is to serve those whose lives are touched by the tragic death of a baby through early pregnancy loss, stillbirth, or in the first few months of life. The Quincy Share group expands its focus to include all children.
"It's a loss, no matter the age of a child. Each person deals with it differently," said Arlis Dittmer, the recently retired coordinator of the program.
Dittmer says in recent years, the membership of the support group has dwindled, yet the issue of pregnancy and infant loss is as relevant as ever. The group that meets at Blessing Hospital is trying to gather information about what kind of support network is most helpful: face-t0-face meetings, an on-line board for local members or a combination of both.
Please take our KHQA poll below to give organizers an idea of how to provide the best service to parents who are grieving a loss.
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