Still Remembered Project
Celebrates First Anniversary
One in four women experience miscarriage, stillbirth or
neonatal death. The Still Remembered Project helps raise
awareness about pregnancy and infant loss.
BY PAUL GLASSER
W
hat began as a support group for bereaved mothers
has grown into a successful nonprofit organization
that also helps raise awareness about pregnancy
and infant loss.
The board members of the Still Remembered Project recently
celebrated the one-year anniversary of the program’s official
incorporation as a nonprofit.
According to the group, one in four women will experience
miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal
death. Although it is a prevalent
issue, board treasurer Melissa Ibella
says many people find it difficult to
talk about the subject. All the board
members, including Ibella, have
experienced loss of a pregnancy or
infant.
“My first child passed away at 39
weeks and was born after 20 hours
of labor,” Ibella explains. “I was
surprised by how many people didn’t
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want to see him. I was surprised by how many people didn’t want
to say his name. It makes a lot of people uncomfortable to talk
about a child they never met. It made me uncomfortable until I
was part of this community. I had to deal with it in my own way.
Over time, it became something I felt very passionate about.”
The Still Remembered Project began as a peer support group
for bereaved mothers six years ago. The support group still
meets from 7 to 9 p.m. on the second Thursday of every month
at Panera Bread in the Galleria Mall
on Route 19 in Mt. Lebanon. About
60 women have joined the support
group. However, the organization
has implemented a number of other
programs designed to support families
who have experienced pregnancy and
infant loss and raise awareness about
the issue.
Board members and volunteers
create memory boxes for bereaved
mothers that include handmade