OKEECHOBEE –  Okeechobee County Commissioners encourage parents, caregivers and residents to become educated in opportunities to prevent pregnancy and infant loss and support bereaved families when prevention is not possible.

At their Oct. 9 meeting, Okeechobee County Commissioners issued a proclamation to Dawn Lawrence of the Healthy Start Coalition honoring Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness during the month of October.

The proclamation states:  “October has been designated as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month to honor and remember the precious lives of those who have been lost too soon.

“Many Okeechobee parents and families have suffered a miscarriage, a stillbirth delivery or shortly after birth.

“These losses can have a profound impact on families, creating emotional, physical, and psychological challenges that require compassionate support and understanding from their communities.

“Even the shortest lives are still valuable, and the grief of those who mourn the loss of these lives should not be trivialized.

“Raising awareness about pregnancy and infant loss helps to foster a supportive environment for families, encourages open dialogue about these experiences, and promotes the importance of accessible resources and support services”