After a successful IVF embryo implant, we found out we were pregnant with our daughter Paige on December 3, 2023. We could not have been more excited to have a daughter and for Miles to be a big brother to a little sister. It was a rough first trimester filled with morning sickness, but Paige was growing as expected and getting stronger by the day. At the 20-week anatomy scan we saw the cutest little girl dancing around in her mom’s belly. The ultrasound specialist said it was one of the most active babies she had ever seen. At 22 weeks pregnant, we had a maternity photo shoot as a family of four. Miles got to run around in a field while Paige continued to be our lively baby having as much fun as we were. Little did we know that our world of hope and optimism for the future was about to come crumbling down.
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On April 19th, 2024, at 23 weeks pregnant, we felt a little uneasy as Jill hadn’t felt Paige as much throughout the day. We tried to be optimistic by saying that we were still early in the pregnancy. On the morning of April 20th, after still not feeling her throughout the night, we went to the ER. That’s when we heard the doctors say every parent’s worst fear: “I’m sorry, but we aren't able to find a heartbeat.” The next morning, on April 21, 2024, our daughter Paige Kennedy was born into heaven. The doctors performed various tests and bloodwork but unfortunately, like so many other parents of loss, everything came back normal and we will never have a reason why it happened.
In our darkest moments, close family and friends stepped up to help us pick up the pieces. We also were lucky enough to have support organizations help us on our grief journey. These types of organizations are essential and immediately step up to provide families with loss resources, financial support, and most importantly validation that they are not alone in their grief. These organizations also provide support groups to connect families who have shared experience of losing a child and navigating the profound grief that comes with it.
It hurts every day that we will never get to see Paige grow up. She has brought us into a community filled with other strong and resilient parents. Our goal now is to be able to give back to similar organizations who were there for us in our darkest hours and to help other families who are navigating their own loss. That is why we host our memorial walk in Paige's honor - as a way to help raise funds for these amazing organizations as they continue to support other families experiencing a loss.
Unite, Inc Grief Support has been providing peer-to-peer support for parents and family members of pregnancy and infant loss in the Philadelphia area since 1975. Unite offers both in person and virtual support groups, as well as specialized groups like the Dad’s Support Group and Pregnancy After Loss Support Group.
Noelle's Light empowers and supports families facing a life-threatening fetal or congenital diagnosis. They provide financial assistance to families receiving treatment or after-life services, as well as grants for families undergoing IVF after a loss of a child. Noelle's Light also provides families with emotional support and hope boxes for families in the NICU or that are navigating the profound grief of losing a child.
Purchase your event ticket by April 1st to guarantee your custom tote bag! We gratefully welcome all donations at any time, but bags are only guaranteed for those who meet this deadline.
All proceeds will be donated directly to
Unite, Inc. and Noelle's Light.
Please send any questions to milesforpaige@gmail.com
Thank you for your support!