Community Volunteers

HUGS Community Volunteers have chosen to dedicate their volunteer time to families in the community. They do not visit during the hospital stay, but support families for a year after with tailored support to meet the individual needs of the parents. 
Anna
In April of 2016 we went in for the typical first ultrasound appointment and were told a heartbeat could not be found. Further ultrasounds and testing revealed we were carrying twins. My body did not want to naturally let go of my babies so medical procedures were needed. Although I never got to meet or see these little ones, I was (and still am!) extremely grateful for the HUGS volunteers who guided me before and after my procedures. I felt comforted to know I wasn’t alone and have become a HUGS volunteer in hopes that I can help ease someone else’s journey with early loss. Today, we are reminded of our blessings with a beautiful girl and two rainbow boys.
Becky
After a complicated second pregnancy our daughter Danielle was stillborn in March 2011. Her death left me heartbroken and lost. We made many lasting memories during our short time holding and loving Danielle. Through BPoM, we were able to meet other families who had similar experiences. It was healing for us to know other people who shared our grief. Since her death we have been blessed with another daughter Arianna. Volunteering for HUGS allows me to reach out to other families to let them know they are not alone. While I cannot take away your grief, I have walked in your shoes. It is my privilege to help support you during this difficult time.
Beth
When my husband and I decided we were ready to start a family, we had no idea what a whirlwind roller coaster was ahead of us. We were shocked to learn that our first pregnancy was ectopic in November 2016. We thought we’d experienced the worst thing that could ever happen to us when months later, in August 2017, our son Calvin B was stillborn. BPoM helped us feel like we weren’t alone in an incredibly dark time in our lives, and saw us through the subsequent pregnancy and birth of our rainbow baby less than a year later. It helped immensely, having support and understanding as we tried to navigate a huge spectrum of emotions and life events.
Chrissy
We experienced both of our losses in 2016. In January, our daughter, Harper Lindsay was diagnosed with Alobar Holoprosencephaly at 20 weeks. There was a 3% chance we would make it to full term pregnancy and if we did, she would die immediately. After consulting with several Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialists, we made the most painful decision; one no parent should ever have to make. We did not want our little girl to suffer… not even for one second. We decided to terminate the pregnancy at almost 22 weeks. I cannot express how heartbreaking it was to end a WANTED pregnancy. Eleven months later, I miscarried our second child at 9 weeks. As a mother who has lost her only two children, the support we received from BPoM along with connecting with other bereaved parents was life changing. These incredible people helped us to feel less alone and gave us a safe place to talk about our babies. I am honored and proud to be a part of HUGS and help to support families that suffer from this profound loss.
Cynthia
After my first and second pregnancies ended in miscarriage, I began reaching out to other women who experienced first trimester losses to cope with the isolation and loneliness I felt. Connecting with other mothers who were walking this journey helped me work through my grief when my third pregnancy ended in miscarriage. My fourth pregnancy resulted in my now 14-year-old son, Tyler. I continued providing support to grieving families, which gave me strength as I experienced four more miscarriages trying to give Tyler a sibling. Bereaved Parents of Madison was a source of support for me, and it’s been my mission to ensure nobody experiences this devastating loss alone.
Gina
We heard those dreadful words no expecting parents ever want to hear in August 2012. I soon went on to deliver our angel Addison, who was stillborn at 32 weeks. With no definitive explanation for our loss, we turned to our faith, family and friends to help comfort the shock and heartbreak we faced. But it was hearing similar stories from parents at the BPoM support group that made us feel like we weren't alone, nor would our daughter be forgotten. Since then, Addison has taught us so much, and I hope to share the strength and hope she gave me to help other parents face that heartbreaking loss.
Jeff
I am a father of 4. We had twin daughters at almost 26 weeks. Our daughter Amira lived for 3 hours and our daughter Anya for about a week in the NICU. The experience of losing our daughters changed me profoundly. Connecting with other bereaved parents about our journey and knowing that we are not alone on this path has made all the difference in the world. It is my hope to provide immediate guidance to those that find themselves on this path and help them to find their way through sharing my experience and what I have learned from others.
Jenn
After years of struggling with fertility, my husband and I were so excited to be expecting a baby in 2017. After not feeling much movement, we learned that our baby had no heartbeat at 36w5d. With the encouragement of the nurses, a HUGS volunteer sat at our bedside hours after our daughter, Lucy Jane, was born. That visit helped us discuss, understand, and voice how we’d spend our days in the hospital together. Since then, my husband and I have received HUGS support, attended BPOM group meetings, and events. We are so grateful for the support and friendships - our journey would not be the same without it. I feel so honored to be able to support other parents and get to know their stories and babies, too.
Lauren
In October 2016, at our 20 week ultrasound, we were shocked to hear that I had an incompitent cervix with signs of funneling. After 2 weeks of bed rest and daily progesterone, our son, Carter, was born on November 16, 2016 at 22 weeks. With the support of HUGS and BPOM, I was able to connect with others who knew what I was going through during a time where I felt very alone. Without the personal connection I made with my HUGS volunteer, I would not have been able to find peace within myself.  I hope to be that light of hope for other families who are going through dark times and to be that personal connection they need when they are feeling lost.
Mark