Let's End Preventable Stillbirth

Every day, 65 families in the US are devastated by the loss of their baby to stillbirth. Sadly, a large percentage of those are preventable. Those that experience this loss, want nothing more than to prevent this tragedy for others. While it will never bring their babies back, there are mothers ("loss moms"), their families, and friends - working together to end the devastation of preventable stillbirth. Leading the charge is the mom of Autumn Joy, Debbie Haine Vijayvergiya.

For Debbie, stillbirth advocacy was not part of her master plan. However, on July 7th, 2011, Debbie's life irrevocably changed when she learned that her baby no longer had a heartbeat, The next day Debbie was sadly subjected to the experience of the heartbreak of her daughter, Autumn, being born still. Debbie's life has never been the same since. And unfortunately, Debbie is no stranger to pregnancy loss.

Before Autumn’s death, Debbie had suffered through several maternal health complications and two previous miscarriages. And when she lost Autumn, she resolved that "enough was enough". She needed to find a way to give her family’s heartbreaking tragedy a purpose, not only for herself but for Autumn and all the babies that are lost too soon.

Debbie has since become a powerful stillbirth advocate at both the state and national level. She has been working tirelessly over the past 11 + years to improve stillbirth outcomes and to raise much-needed awareness around this tragically taboo issue. She has developed and championed multiple pieces of legislation, including the SHINE for Autumn Act. Because in the end, losing tens of thousands of babies every year shouldn’t be acceptable or the norm.

After these 11 + years of working on this issue with no financial support, and as the effective leader in championing legislation, we would like to help cover the costs that Debbie and her team are incurring toward getting the bill passed. The funds will help make it easier to work directly with lawmakers in Washington, DC face to face, will enable more effective reach and support of our growing supporters so that they can also advocate their direct leadership, and will give this tireless leader some well-deserved support after years of funding her efforts directly out of her personal funds and resources.

Together, we will partner to pass this vital legislation that will:

We ask you to join us - both in funding the effort but most importantly reaching out with us to tell your story, or that of someone you love to persuade lawmakers to pass this much-needed legislation. For more information on how you can be a part of this important change to honor your baby, future child, or those of people you know and love, check out the website for steps that you can take now and in the future: click here to learn more

Thanks, in advance for your support!