LEWISTON — Central Maine Medical Center recently dedicated a memorial garden “as a special place for individuals, couples, families and friends to honor and remember a baby lost through a pregnancy or infant death,” according to Betsy McGrail, R.N., CMMC’s maternal-child program coordinator.

The memorial garden was created with the help of Provencher Landscape and Nursery in Lewiston, as part of a CMMC effort to better assist families and individuals who have experienced the death of a child during pregnancy or shortly after birth.

CMMC and St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center recently participated in the eighth annual Walk to Remember, a two-mile walk that raised funds for the Colby Fund, a charitable organization dedicated to helping those struggling with the emotional and financial burdens encountered after the death of an infant. Some 238 walkers raised more than $10,000.

The Colby Fund was founded by Leanne and Dave Langlois of Turner, who suffered the loss of their son, Colby, shortly before his due date. The couple discovered there were few local resources to help those dealing with the loss of a baby. The Colby Fund and The Sharing Through Experience Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support Group were created to ensure that local families had the assistance and support needed during this difficult time. The support group meets at 7 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month at the 12 High St. Medical Office Building, Conference Room D, adjacent to CMMC.

October is National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month.

Anyone seeking more information about the Colby Fund, annual walk, memorial garden at CMMC or support group should call Leanne Langlois at 212-9528, Tammy Brule of St. Mary’s at 400-0093 or Betsy McGrail of CMMC at 795-2633.

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