Pregnancy and infant loss remembrance ceremony event at Brandon Hospital's Adam's Garden

BRANDON, FL - HCA Florida Brandon Hospital will host the 17th Annual Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Ceremony on Oct. 15, 2023 in Adam’s Garden located on the hospital grounds at 119 Oakfield Drive in Brandon, Fla. 

This annual gathering of families and close friends, who have experienced the great sadness of losing a child will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. It is a special time for hospital caregivers and families to remember the children and for families to connect with each other.

“We created Adam's Garden in 2008 as a special place of remembrance for families who have experienced the loss of a baby through miscarriage, stillbirth or early newborn death. Each year, we gather with our community to light a candle and honor each small life that ended too soon,” said Laurie Van Damme, patient care navigator at Brandon Hospital and founder of Adam’s Garden.

Ashley Jupp (mother of Aaron) and Corinth Parker (mother of Chloe) will share their stories at the ceremony. Chloe and Aaron, along with hundreds of babies, will be honored individually with a candle lighting, roll-call and slide show. 

“The ceremony is a safe space for us to feel vulnerable and connected to the babies we loved so dearly, but didn't get to keep. It provides the comfort that our babies matter and that they existed, no matter how brief,” said Kayla Colon-Escobar, mother of Lucas.

Local media is encouraged to attend the event.