It is estimated that 1 in 4 women in Ottawa/Gatineau will experience a miscarriage or pregnancy loss. While support exists, programs are often unknown and can be hard to access. The taboo surrounding pregnancy and infant loss leaves many individuals and families dealing with their grief in isolation.

Aaron’s Butterfly Run 2017 is the first charity run of its kind in the Ottawa/Gatineau area. The intention of the run is to raise awareness and support for individuals and families who have or will experience pregnancy and infant loss. Individuals and families will run or walk through Old Ottawa South on Saturday, Oct. 14th, 2017 to raise money for pediatric palliative care and bereavement programs at Roger Neilson House, a program of the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO). The 2017 run is being organized in honour of baby Aaron, a patient of the Perinatal Hospice at Roger Neilson House, who spent 100 precious minutes with his family after birth. 

The Perinatal Hospice provides support to families whose babies are likely to die before, during, or shortly after birth. Perinatal Hospice includes comprehensive support from the time of diagnosis, through the birth and death of the infant, and into the postpartum period. Roger Neilson House also offers a Perinatal Loss Parent Bereavement Support Group for parents who have lost a pregnancy over 20 weeks or infant death (up to the first 28 days of life).

Our Paint Nite fundraiser will support the costs of the Butterfly Run including race day signage, kits, and food for the runners and walkers among other expenses.

EVENT TIME:

6:00-7:00pm: Artist Setup

7:00-9:00pm: Paint Nite Event

9:00-10:00pm: Artist Cleanup