SANDS awareness month starts this week

This month marks SANDS Awareness Month, an opportunity to raise awareness of stillbirth and neonatal death, along with the devastating impact on families when a baby dies before, during or shortly after birth.

Unfortunately, baby loss is often seen as a taboo subject, leaving the full impact unknown – many people are unaware of the scale of the issue, and the ever lasting impact it has on those affected by it. SANDS is a charity that was set up in 1978 by a group of bereaved parents with an aim of breaking this silence. Their annual awareness month is an important contributor in this, still to this day.

The events held as part of the awareness month help to give families an opportunity to tell their stories and talk about their children. By highlighting this, and the fact that over 100 babies die each week, crucial funds can be raised so that SANDS can continue supporting families, improving bereavement care, and funding vital research and campaigning.

One of the ways that people will be raising funds and awareness this month, is through the launch of ‘Walk a Mile in My Shoes’ fundraising events. These walks can be done on any scale, and offer a chance discuss their families, raise awareness as well as vital funds.

SANDS will also be asking people to turn the world Orange this June! This can be through orange-themed fundraising events and challenges, orange selfies and profile images. Anything and everything orange can be used to raise awareness of this important topic.

You can support SANDS Awareness Month by texting JUNE01 £5 to 70070.

You can find out more about SANDS Awareness Month and the different ways that you can support, here.