Pregnancy and infant loss are two of the hardest things a family can experience. In an effort to bring awareness to these losses as well as raise funds, the Hinds Hospice will hold its 8th Annual Hinds Hospice Angel Babies Walk/Run on Saturday for the first time at Fresno State.
Hinds Hospice is expecting its largest attendance ever for the walk/run.
“We started with 300 people at our first walk/run at Woodward Park, and everyone was thrilled with the success,” said Lauren Gaither, fund development coordinator. “This year we are expecting around 1,600 people. The more people that attend, the better.”
Hinds Hospice was founded by Nancy Hinds in 1981. Hinds Hospice is a non-profit that helps people living with a terminal illness and their caregivers. It also offers hospice services and support programs to those in grief after the loss of a loved one.
Angel Babies is a program that is part of the Center for Grief and Healing at Hinds Hospice. Its mission is to provide comfort, support and uphold the dignity of families whose babies have been affected with a condition or whose babies have died.
“You don’t hear many people talk about infant loss and pregnancy loss,” said Samantha Schuh, director of fund development. “Using the walk/run to honor and remember a loved one makes this an amazing and neat experience to be a part of. The infant or child being remembered at the walk/run doesn’t need to have been an Angel Baby.”
Hinds Hospice moved the run/walk to Fresno State after parking became an issue at Woodward Park.
“Fresno State allowed for growth and we feel very comfortable to be able to host the run/walk there for the very first time,” Schuh said.
The event will feature a 5K and a two mile walk/race for adults. Children from ages 7 to 9 may participate in the quarter-mile fun run. The 1/8 mile fun run will be for children 6 years of age or younger.
Registration will be in front of the Satellite Student Union beginning at 6:45 a.m., followed by a pancake breakfast donated in part by Denny’s and prepared by the North Fresno Lions Club.
A raffle will begin at 9:30 a.m. and consists of prizes such as a Las Vegas trip for two, a family four pack to Hearst Castle, tickets to Six Flags, a family fun night which includes dinner at Chevy’s and bowling at Sierra lanes and much more.
“Once you go out there, you are instantly a part of something special and it becomes hard not to support,” Gaither said.
The participation fee is $20 per adult and $12 per child under 9 years.
Hinds Hospice will also host the Angel Babies Golf Classic on June 25 at the Sunnyside Country Club.
Students are encouraged and welcomed to volunteer at Hinds Hospice or at any of its events. Interested students can contact Hinds Hospice for more information about participating or volunteering.