Project Description

Precious Awakening is pregnancy and infant loss website I have created in honor of my daughter Alana. I was inspired after I gave birth to Alana 19 weeks and 4 days too early on September 25th 2007. Though she was born alive, she was too young to survive. Her lungs had not developed enough. That very same day that she was born she passed away. I had no idea how common miscarriage, pregnancy, neonatal, and infant loss was until I had experienced it myself, and began doing research on the subject.

On my website I provide information, and support to bereaved families. We encourage parents to memorialize, create tributes, traditions, and ceremonies for the children that have left us too soon. I have created a support group where members can participate in our forum, create a profile, upload photos, and comment on blogs. I have also created my own Precious Memory Box program. Memory boxes are keepsakes that I hand paint. They are donated to a hospital, and in turn they given to newly bereaved parents. They are used to hold the baby's blanket, photos, hospital bracelets, gown, and other things. I had received one while at my stay in the hospital. I can't explain how much this box means to me. It's a small way to say your baby is special, and bring comfort to someone. In the future I hope other artists would volunteer to make some as well.

Thankfully a friend has donated money to our program and I will soon purchase an official domain name. We would like in the not-so-distant future be able to buy grief related books, booklets, sympathy charms/pendants or pins, and other things that I am considering to include inside each of our Precious Memory Boxes. These items will help them through the tough days ahead.

I started funding this project out of my own pocket. I've come to realize it is going to get a bit expensive to keep it going. It is a commitment that I am completely committed to. When I recieve donations they help me buy supplies such as; Paints, paper mache boxes, yarn, and finishing spray. Donations also help to pay for hosting services, and (when the time comes) domain name renewal.

I have given thought into making this a non-profit organization, but I suppose it will depend if this project gets to be that big. For now I am happy with the way the project has blossomed these past few months. I'm more than happy doing this in Alana's memory. Though I am far from being okay with what happened, this has been a big help in the healing process.

For more information please visit the Precious Awakening weBsite. Thank You.
HTTP://WWW.PRECIOUSAWAKENING.ORG
If you have any questions please email me through the website.