Oaklawn offers Infant Memorial Walk on Oct. 7 at Ketchum Park

MARSHALL — A poignant gathering Saturday, Oct. 7, will honor the experiences of parents who’ve undergone one of the most difficult calamities in life.

“The purpose of the Infant Memorial Walk is to remember those babies who have passed either before birth or after,” said Tracee Hathaway, director of Oaklawn’s Birth Center. “It is to honor their memory.”

“We invite parents, grandparents or friends who have gone through this type of loss in their lives to attend,” Hathaway said.

The event, which has been an Oaklawn tradition for several years, is open to the public free of charge. Registration is not required.

The event will begin at 9:30 a.m., when refreshments will be served at the Cronin Millrace Pavilion in Ketchum Park at 731 Montgomery St.

After a period of reflection, the program is to begin at 10 a.m. and is expected to last about one hour.

“As a nurse caring for families experiencing this kind of loss, it is nice to see them again and let them know we also remember,” said Kristine Johnson, a registered nurse who works at the Birth Center. “I believe it is helpful for families to know they aren’t alone in this experience.”

The Birth Center provides childbirth education programs as well as grief counseling. Additional information about those programs and the Infant Memorial Walk is available by calling (269) 781-4271 or visiting oaklawnhospital.com.