Katie, Spreading HOPE for Poppy Annabelle
honorary Ambassador Katie duke, sharing in memory of poppy annabelle
“My life transformed the instant I heard the words "we can't find a heartbeat." The old me ceased to exist, and rather than counting the days that my daughter was alive, I started counting the days that I'd existed without her. Stillbirth is a devastating experience and it took me a long time to heal, years. However, Poppy has become my spirit guide and I can't image having a more meaningful and deeply spiritual relationship than the one I have with her. She would be 8 years old this month and for the last 8 years, I have cultivated a connection with her spirit. She reveals herself to me every day, sending me signs through nature, animals, poppy flowers, numbers and the time. My living daughter, Moxie, who will soon be 6, knows so much about her big sister who died and it makes me proud. In May 2022, I published a memoir about Poppy and my love for her titled Still Breathing: My Journey with Love, Loss, and Reinvention. Writing my story saved my soul and I hope it inspires other bereaved mothers to know they are never alone.
I first watched the movie Return to Zero with my husband in 2016, the year after Poppy died. It was a special moment for us, reminding us that we were not alone. RTZ Hope has inspired me over the years to continue sharing my story and connecting with other mothers who have been through loss like mine.”
Pregnancy and infant loss is an unique type of loss, leaving the grievers to feel isolated and unsure of how to move forward. We'd be grateful if you you would consider making a contribution to RTZ Hope. Your gift ensures that other parents who endure loss on their journey to parenthood have the support, resources, and community they need in order to navigate life after loss.
With your support, here’s what we were able to accomplish during 2022 (2022 Annual Report):
Fifty percent of support group participants received financial support to ensure that all parents have access to services.
Enhanced outreach to and created support services for Black, Indigenous, and other Communities of Color as a response to the alarming rate of preterm births and stillbirths caused by racial disparities in perinatal and infant health.
Offered 50 different support group programs (virtual workshops, virtual support groups, and in-person retreats) to our community of bereaved families.
Supplied our unique perinatal bereavement guides to 400 hospitals and providers to assist in caring for grieving families.
Hosted 10 perinatal bereavement education webinars to parents and providers.
Created community and spread awareness about pregnancy and infant loss through social media.