Kim Bowers

Liam was diagnosed with bilateral renal agenesis, or absent kidneys, at 14 weeks gestation. We spent our summer in a research trial at Cincinnati fetal center to infuse fluid back into his amniotic sac in hopes of being able to develop his lungs enough to get dialysis at birth. Unfortunately the trial didn’t work as hoped, and Liam was born October 16th 2018 at 3:45 pm. We were lucky enough to have WNY perinatal bereavement network to help us form a plan before birth, to get a birth photographer last minute & a cuddle cot to be able to keep him at our bedside. Liam was a miracle in himself after being told he wouldn’t make it to 20 weeks gestation. He lived 10 beautiful hours, got baptized, met his grandparents, great grandparents & aunt, opened his eyes & peacefully passed away in my arms at 1:50 am. Since October we have donated in Liam’s memory back to Cincinnati labor & delivery by providing a cuddle cot to allow families time with their babies, we have provided boxes to mom’s who lost a baby at Millard Fillmore suburban, & we have adopted a family at Christmas. We keep Liam’s Legacy alive by donating & speaking his name everyday. If you find it in your heart to donate in Liam’s memory, WNY perinatal bereavement network helps families with all types of pregnancy and infant loss. We would love to have a large fundraising goal to honor his first birthday on October 16th.

About this Event

Kim Bowers

Through the strongest of storms, or softest of breezes… Listen to the wind and think of me.

Sunday, October 13, 2019 through Sunday, October 13, 2019

October 13, 2019

Cheektowaga Town Park

Event Check-In and Day-of Registration will open at 11:00 AM

Walk to Remember Event begins at 12:00 Noon

Throughout the nation, parents, family members, friends and healthcare professionals gather to pay tribute to the approximately 870,000 babies who die each year due to miscarriage, ectopic (tubal) pregnancy, stillbirth or early infant death. For the parents who have experienced perinatal loss, this event is an opportunity to listen to beautiful songs and poems, plant a tree, and come together with other parents to remember their beloved children.

There will be printed signs with baby names along the Walk route. If you have your sign from past years and wish to use it again, please bring it before 11:15 AM, so our volunteers have time to place it along the path. Please do not place your signs on your own. The baby signs are truly one of the most beautiful and endearing parts of the Walk. If you are new to this event, you will likely want to order a sign - you may do so as you register.

As we walk reverently in memory of these special babies, you may want to stop and take a picture or personalize your sign. Flowers will be distributed for you to place with each baby’s sign.

Like other Memorial Walks, the Walk to Remember promotes awareness about the pain of infant loss and the effect it has on families, as well as raises money to help support those afflicted by a tragic loss. We ask that those participating in the Walk obtain donations to help support the Western New York Perinatal Bereavement Network, Inc. (WNYPBN) by creating a safe and secure fundraising page.

This year, in an effort to be more environmentally friendly, we will be flying variously colored kites in lieu of the traditional balloon release. The colors of the kites will represent those who have been touched by the beautiful babies that we can only hold in our hearts.

Hoodies with this year's Walk logo are available for PRE-SALE purchase via our website. The Hoodies are available in a rainbow of colors to signify the relationship to our babies gone too soon. They will be $30 each and available in adult sizes XS-XL or $35 for 2XL. Hoodie sale will be held from July 26th through September 27th. There will be no hoodies for sale the day of the Walk.

For more information on the programs supported by the WNYPBN, please visit our website.

Registration will close on September 27th to ensure time to print names in the Walk Program. Registration donation is $20 per person, or teams of 4 or more for $75, which includes:

A Personalized Pinwheel to place in the Garden of Life at the Walk Main Stage
Picnic lunch sponsored by Frontier Catering and Sahlen's
Your baby(ies)'s name listed on the Memorial Wall at the Walk Main Stage
Walker Gifts

Children 10 years of age and under are not required to pay a registration fee.

Registration will be available on the Day of the Walk for $25. Pinwheels will be available while supplies last.

Event Check-In and Day-of Registration

will begin at 11:00 AM

Program begins at 12:00 Noon

Summary of the Program:
The Walk ceremony will include flying kites in memory of our beautiful babies gone too soon. All pre-registered families will have their baby(ies)'s name(s) listed on the Memorial Wall on the Main Stage. Pre-Registered families will also get a rainbow colored pinwheel with their baby(ies)'s name(s) placed in the Garden of Life also at the Main Stage. We are no longer having a balloon release in an effort to be more environmentally friendly. Please do not bring and release personal balloons.

We will listen to music and poetry, plant a Bradford Pear tree, and fly kites. You may sponsor (Remembrance Tribute) the Tree Planting, Kite-Flying or the Flowers as you register for the Walk. The Walk route is approximately one mile in length, along walkways and sidewalks (wheelchair accessible).

At the conclusion of the Walk, there will be a complimentary picnic lunch provided by Frontier Catering and Sahlen's.

A “Kids Zone” with supervised care, games and crafts will be provided to allow adult family members to reflect on the day.

The Walk will commence RAIN or SHINE!

After you register, please consider creating a memorial page in honor of your baby gone too soon. You can tell your story of loss, share photographs and collect pledges to support the important programs of the WNYPBN. In addition, please feel free to collect monetary pledges to bring with you on the day of the Walk.

$500 in pledges - TBD
$1000 in pledges - Wings of Love engraved paver at the Wings of Love Memorial Garden
The family with the most in pledges will also receive an engraved bronze butterfly at a Wings of Love Memorial Garden.

Invite your family and friends to register and collect pledges for your team, then join you to truly make the Walk to Remember a celebration of LIFE!