SHINE Stars

I live in Wasilla, AK with my husband, son and two dogs. After spending two weeks bedridden in a hospital, I lost my son Tavyn, to placental abruption at 30 weeks leading to a stillbirth delivery. Crushed going home to an empty nursery I was left with no answers. The following years were met with turmoil and grief but I couldn't accept the fact there was nothing I could do. Volunteering with my local TEARS foundation led to research which led to the finding of PUSH, Healthy Birthday and other non-profits fighting to make a change. Upon seeing this the hole in my heart was filled with inspiration to help. I see SHINE as just the first step of a miracle that is to come!

Alishia Anderson is a baby loss support coach, grief companion, and hope dealer that helps angel moms deconstruct their grief, and honor their angel babies, while accepting their own unique motherhood journeys.

I recently retired from working full-time for more than 25 years in Colorado's public health, health policy and healthcare service arenas and continue to provide project-based consulting for a variety of healthcare clients. I served on many boards, including as a founding board member of a charter school. I volunteer as a mentor for at-risk high school students and I am helping resettle an Afghan family. I have 2 adult children and my husband and I enjoy traveling, hiking, cycling, and other outdoor activities.

My family and I live in beautiful Colorado. My husband and I have 2 older kids 11 year old boy and 6 year old girl and we were expecting our third son in May of 2022. On May 20th, 2022 we met, loved, and said goodbye to our third child, Wyatt. He was born still at 39 weeks and 3 days. We were distraught, lost, and more than anything heartbroken. We never knew this was a possibility. I have found strength and ability to keep going on through my family and the loss still birth community, and my hope is to be able to help others and raise awareness.

Brittney is founder of The Iris Fund and a mother of three, two preemies that thrive and one (Iris) who died during delivery - which is classified as a stillbirth- in July of 2017. In the days following Iris's passing her family was shocked to learn how little was known around all types of birth (preterm, full term and still). With a background in international humanitarian and development work, after Iris's passing, Brittney focused her efforts on basic science research in women's health and related advocacy efforts, through the organization she founded, The Iris Fund. From the moment she read the SHINE act she was on board; this is the change we need!

Paige is a 29 year old nurse care manager who lives in Waterford, Connecticut with her husband, Kyle, golden retriever and two cats. They had the dream pregnancy early on, conceiving on their honeymoon and getting pregnant with their son Kase exactly as planned. They experienced typical 1st & 2nd trimesters of pregnancy followed by a diagnosis of gestational hypertension by the 3rd trimester. Paige was told numerous times that she was experiencing “normal pregnancy symptoms” despite documented decreased fetal movement and substantial swelling of her legs, hands and face. On July 31st, 2022, just one week to the day after his perfect elephant themed baby shower, Kase was born sleeping at 34 weeks. Paige refused to accept that she may never find an actual cause for his death and decided she would help fight for change.

I live in Indialantic, Florida, with my husband. After a high-risk pregnancy, our much longed-for son died unexpectedly from a cord accident at 30 weeks. I delivered our sweet baby boy Jonah stillborn in January of 2021. We know that his death was preventable and everything about my life changed that day. In my spare time I volunteer in his honor as a Count the Kicks Florida Ambassador and Changemaker for PUSH for Empowered Pregnancy to prevent other families from experiencing the heartache and trauma that accompanies a stillbirth.

Vivian is a third generation social worker who has spent her career dedicated to connecting folks to services and reducing barriers to care. In April of 2020, in the midst of the uncertainty of a global pandemic, her son was stillborn after suffering a cord accident. She was amazed to find that even with her background, securing resources, and advocating for care were more challenging than she ever anticipated.

In April of 2020 after losing her son, she promised herself she would not give into the darkness that was threatening to consume her. She is grateful to have the opportunity to keep that promise by shining for her son, her grandmother and the baby she lost 60 years prior, all the babies gone too soon, and all the babies and families that will be spared of this fate as a result of the Shine for Autumn for Autumn Act.

She lives in Florida with her husband, and their two daughters.

I am Danielle, a wife and mother to four boys here on earth and one in Heaven. Our son Tanner was stillborn in 2016 after PPROM followed by cord prolapse.

I live in North Idaho with my husband Josh. Our son, Gabriel, was stillborn at 38 weeks on 11/26/22. Although I had voiced my concerns with my son’s slowed movements, I was sent home after my nurse practitioner midwife assured me that Gabriel was fine and was just “running out of room”. Four days later, five days before my scheduled c-section, my husband and I were told those dreaded four words - “there is no heartbeat”. I wholeheartedly believe that education will make all the difference for families, like mine, and the standard of care we receive. I SHINE for Gabriel in hopes that no other family has to leave the hospital empty handed. Together we can prevent stillbirth!

I live in Northern Idaho with my husband, Gavin & living daughter, Alivia. Summit, our first born son, was stillborn at 31+ weeks, on Halloween morning of 2020. I was seen days prior & voiced concerns to my then provider & those were dismissed & belittled by this doctor. With more research, advocacy, & education it will prevent babies dying & being born still. I volunteer time to Star Legacy & SHINE so some day, parents will not have to say hello & goodbye to their child on the same day.

Born and raised in Kansas, Chi Jenny Nguyen is a devoted wife, mother to two beautiful girls, and dog mom.

I live in Lawrence, KS with my husband, son and little doggo. Stillbirth was something I knew happened, but didn’t realize happened so frequently until I went in for my scheduled c-section with my second son. What was supposed to be a happy day quickly turned into one of the worst days of my life. I lost my son Maren, for reasons still unknown at 39 weeks resulting in a stillbirth. My life was forever changed. I carried out an empty car seat and went home to an empty nursery. I continue to try and accept the fact there was nothing I could do, but struggle everyday with this concept.

I am a strong supporter of Mental Health and Women’s Right in everything that I do. I have a Masters in Clinic Psychology with a minor in Women, Gender and Sexuality studies- I try to use my education to help push for change within our systems for Maternal Health. It takes a village to make a difference and I’m proud to be able to use my voice for good!

I live in Bossier City, LA with my husband and daughter. Our firstborn Julianna Grace was born still on September 9th, 2013, since then I have dedicated the past 9 years serving those who have lost babies due to miscarriage, stillbirth or early infant loss. I run the Julianna Grace Ministry in which we hand-deliver grief baskets or mail out boxes to those who have lost babies. Our boxes have gone all over the world. I've helped pass legislation in Louisiana to relieve the heavy burden stillbirth can financially cause. We need to dignify our babies' lives by taking action.

Kate Forrest is a MSW Candidate at Boston College School of Social Work, a Changemaker at PUSH for Empowered Pregnancy, and Graduate Policy Campaign Intern with the Massachusetts Public Health Association. She is a passionate advocate with a heart for addressing systemic issues at their root cause. When her daughter, Aurora, was stillborn at 40 weeks after an otherwise healthy pregnancy, Kate's eyes were opened to the public health crisis that is stillbirth. After discovering that 23,000 babies are stillborn in the United States each year, many of which are preventable, Kate knew it was time for change.

When Aurora died, I made a promise that the world would know her name. I SHINE for Aurora and all babies like her, because no family should feel this pain.

My son Elijah was stillborn on his due date in July of 2018 after what we had been told was a very healthy pregnancy. After a long journey trying to learn why Elijah died, we eventually learned that his small placenta could not supply enough oxygen for his large body at the end of pregnancy. I now help lead Measure the Placenta where we promote placenta measurements during prenatal care, so that placenta size can be considered as a risk factor and reduce these preventable stillbirths. I live in Shoreview, Minnesota with my husband and four living children where I am a SAHM and adjunct environmental science professor.

I came to learn about stillbirth the hard way when my first baby, Rhoan Osborne Bailey, died 7 days before his due date after a perfectly healthy pregnancy on March 5, 2020. I live in Kansas City with my husband and two living children. I dedicate my free time to stillbirth prevention as a Count the Kicks Ambassador for Missouri and PUSH for Empowered Pregnancy Changemaker so that no one else has to live through this unspeakable tragedy.

I live in Kansas City, MO, with my husband Matt and our three children: Oliver who lives in Heaven and Elsie and Miles who we are blessed to have on Earth. Oliver Thomas Walsh was born sleeping on Sept. 25, 2014 when I was 38 weeks and 2 days pregnant. He was a beautiful 5 pound baby boy.

As an elementary education teacher who spends my days helping kids develop their social, emotional, and academic skills I could not wait to have my own children. My pregnancy was a dream pregnancy. We found out I was pregnant on my birthday and had no complications. Our 20 week anatomy scan was perfect and we prepared for our dreams to come true soon!

Three weeks before we delivered Oliver, I had noticed that his movement had changed. I had told my obstetrician every week for three weeks leading up to his death. All she said to me was that movement does change towards the end, and that was it. No further questions were asked or monitoring was offered. As a first-time mother you do not know any better and you trust the professionals. We believe that we lost Oliver due to growth restriction towards the end of my pregnancy. Oliver was telling me he was struggling … and I am still so incredibly sad that I was not better educated on fetal movement in the third trimester to be able to save his precious life.

Ever since we lost Oliver, I have been looking for a way to prevent families from going through this daily agony. I work in honor of Oliver as a Missouri Ambassador for Count the Kicks and a Shine Star to bring awareness and education on the preventative actions that can be taken to end the silent epidemic of stillbirth. I truly believe if I had been better educated and listened to, Oliver would be with us on Earth today. We must do better in this country. Change is coming and I am thrilled to be a small part of it.

Katie is the mother of three daughters, Imogen, Keira, and Saoirse. She and her husband, Ryan, were married on October 12, 2019 in Lincoln, Nebraska. Shortly after getting married, they were expecting a little girl. Imogen was due December 4th 2020 and being their first, hearing her little heartbeat on the monitor was an exciting moment, and one that they thankfully have recorded. Katie's pregnancy with Imogen progressed without any major complications. It wasn't until Friday, November 6th when she went in for her regular 36 week check up that our doctor was unable to find a heartbeat. There were no symptoms or signs, no bleeding or pain, everything seemed fine, but it wasn't. There was no heartbeat, no sign of life.

Katherine is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Clinician in private practice working in Maternal Infant Mental Health. She is committed to empowering motherhood after birth trauma and enhancing infant and child attachment in the family. Katherine facilitates bereaved parents' support groups and pregnancy after a loss groups across the country. Katherine and her family buried Helen at 38 weeks of age after she was born still in 2006.

I shine for Joshua Lee Dudley who was born-still at 8 months gestation on May 21, 1995. Your mom, dad, big sister, Kristyn (33) and now little sister, Rachel (26) and brother, Jacob (22) miss you so much. We love you, Joshua and wish you could be with us now. You would have been 27 years old."

Let's do all we can to stop preventable stillbirth and to spare other families this tragic loss.

Tomeka is a speaker, educator, and advocate. The tragic, yet preventable death of her son Jace and almost losing her life in the process birthed an unbridled passion and purpose to spread awareness and to be a catalyst for change as it relates to racial and implicit biases faced by African American women and infants on a daily basis. She co-founded Jace’s Journey with her husband to work towards eliminating the disparities in maternal and infant health through education, advocacy and community engagement.

Jackie Mancinelli is a high school English and ESL teacher in New Jersey. She is the founder of Start Healing Together, an organization dedicated to supporting educators experiencing pregnancy loss and infertility. She is also the New Jersey Ambassador for Count the Kicks. Jackie and her husband suffered a missed miscarriage in their first pregnancy and then lost their son, Richard, in their second pregnancy. They now have two "rainbow" daughters. She hopes that no other families have to endure the heartbreak that they have, and that begins with proper knowledge about stillbirth and stillbirth prevention.

Krista Gervon is a full spectrum doula and reproductive health advocate. After experiencing a miscarriage in 2015, Krista co-produced the documentary, Don't Talk About the Baby, a film which raises awareness about the silence and stigmas associated with stillbirth, miscarriage, and infertility. She serves on the Board of Directors of the 2 Degrees Foundation and volunteers with Three Little Birds, a nonprofit organization which supports families walking the journey of pregnancy and infant loss in the Philadelphia/South Jersey region. Krista is committed to ending preventable stillbirth and improving birth and maternal health outcomes for all families in New Jersey and nationwide.

Stacey Dinburg has been dedicated to raising stillbirth awareness since her daughter Rhyan Ava was born still in 2014 at 37 weeks pregnant. Stacey is the cofounder of the non-profit organization The 2 Degrees Foundation, a NJ ambassador for Count the Kicks; a stillbirth prevention campaign, an educator, a birth and bereavement doula and patient navigator for those experiencing infertility. She is excited to continue her advocacy efforts through education, and supporting those who have experienced pregnancy and infant loss. Stacey resides in New Jersey with her husband and 2 daughters.

I’m 26 years old & Born and raised in Reno, Nevada. Motherhood has been far from easy for me.

I had my first daughter Adalyn, unexpectedly when i was 19. She was stillborn at 38 weeks gestation. That definitely turned my whole world upside down and from that day I’ve just been trying to find my purpose and my mission has been wanting to give her a voice and spread awareness for stillbirth. I’m a stay at home mother to my now rainbow baby, Kaylee, who is almost 4 years old and knows about her sister inside and out.

I am a retired early childhood director, mother to 3 married daughters and grandmother to 8, including our sweet Oliver who was stillborn in 2013. He was our youngest daughters first child and our second grandchild. Through my volunteer work at PUSH for Empowered Pregnancy and SHINE, I hope to help lower the incidence of preventable stillbirth so that others don't ever have to know the grief we do. I also am a volunteer photographer at NILMDTS.

I am the mother of Sam, my first child, who was stillborn at full term in 2022 after a seemingly healthy pregnancy. I am an attorney and in my free time I love playing with my dog and exercising. I try to honor our baby boy by working to prevent stillbirth and supporting other families who are affected by the tragedy of stillbirth. Sam, your dad and I will love you forever.

I am a wife, mother, and newly a SAHM with our two living children. After our second child, Charlie, was stillborn in September of 2020 for unknown reasons, I have become passionate about stillbirth prevention and maternal health. Our family lives in Columbus, Ohio where we spend most of our free time with our church community and being entertained by our two crazy Australian shepherds.

My daughter, Hattie Jean, was born still at 36 weeks after a perfect pregnancy in September of 2021. I enjoy networking and connecting with others who have experienced similar loss and want to devote everything I have into preventing stillbirth --no one should have to experience this pain. I started a nonprofit, The Wildflower Legacy Foundation, to provide funds, gear, equipment, and whatever else is needed for underprivileged children to play sports, attend camps, have needs met, etc. We will never get to experience such things with Hattie and want to pass those opportunities on to others in need.

I’m a bio, angel, and stepmom; my family is as blended as blended can be! After my first baby loss (stillbirth) I worked so hard to settle the grief and find joy in life again. Now, with the help of my blog The Reinvented Mom, it’s my mission to help other loss parents do the very same.

Our daughter, Everly Ayres, was stillborn on November 1, 2021, after 40 weeks of a perfectly healthy, “low-risk” pregnancy. We live in Pittsburgh, PA with our Cockapoo, Bentley, and have become actively involved in several pregnancy and infant loss, bereavement, and advocacy groups. Everly was stillborn, but she was STILL BORN. Just because she is no longer here with us, doesn’t mean her life won’t make a difference. We chose to continue to parent her the best way we can, by fighting for change in her name so that more babies can go home healthy.

I am a retired telephone technician. My husband and I moved from Georgia to a small town in East Tennessee almost two years ago.

I am stepmom to two amazing men, and have two even more amazing daughter-n-laws! We have 5 grandchildren, one of them, Cassidy was born still Feb. 14, 2022. She is the reason I am joining forces with you all.

I realize now why we don’t have thousands of voices crying out, I realized that the pain of stillbirth is so raw that the mom’s just can’t.

This is why I am here. I want to be a voice for Cassidy, a perfect little girl who was born still. That should not have happened. It should not happen as often as it does. We can do something. We MUST do something. Their still cries will be heard. THEY MUST BE HEARD.

I am a cancer genetic counselor and live in west Texas with my husband, living daughter, and living rainbow son who was just born in November 2022. Our second daughter, Eleanor Betty, was stillborn on October 22, 2021. Eleanor’s pregnancy was followed as high risk due to her older sister being a preeclampsia baby. Eleanor passed her BPP on a Tuesday and died on Thursday, 4 days before her scheduled c-section. She was 36 weeks and 4 days. After extensive testing, the cause of Eleanor’s death is still unknown. Eleanor was a beautiful baby, and we miss her every single day. 10 weeks to the day after Eleanor’s birth, her cousin Leo Joseph Fazekas was also stillborn at 40 weeks 3 days due to a small placenta. I decided to join advocacy efforts to raise awareness of stillbirth and honor Eleanor and Leo, who should both be here with us now. I SHINE for Eleanor and Leo so that no other families have to go through the agony of losing their precious babies. Until Heaven, Precious Child.

I was born in Cuenca, Ecuador and have lived in Texas for the last 25 years. I am a salon owner, wife and mother of 2. In 2021 I decided to be a surrogate and give the gift of a child, but unfortunately my journey ended in stillbirth at 39 weeks gestation on my scheduled delivery day. I couldn't live another day after that knowing that any other parents were going to have to go through such a traumatizing experience. I fight everyday alongside PUSH for Empowered Pregnancy as their Co-Director of Communications to end preventable stillbirth. We talk about this so you don't have to live it.

I’m a step mom, a loss mom, and a recent rainbow mom.

My son Adam was stillborn during labor on Valentine’s Day 2-14-2021 at 40 weeks and 3 days. My doctor had refused to give me an induction multiple times after I brought up several concerns toward the end of my pregnancy. To which when I went into labor naturally I was told to stay home until my contractions were 5 mins apart after 15 hours of laboring at home during one of the worst winter storms Texas has seen, we went to the hospital to find our son was gone.

After losing trust in the system and my body, my husband and I decided to try for our rainbow baby, and after 4x the oversight we were blessed to welcome our daughter Evelyn at 38 weeks via scheduled c section.

Stacey is an advocate for stillbirth and infant loss awareness. After 3 healthy pregnancies, Stacey experienced a pregnancy loss at 10 weeks, followed by the stillbirth of her full-term son Benjamin. In time, two beautiful daughters completed their family. For the last 10 years, she has supported families in hospitals and mortuaries. She is also a bereavement photographer. Stacey is the president of St. George Share, a volunteer with the International Stillbirth Alliance, a changemaker with PUSH, and ready to help the SHINE for Autumn Act make history and change lives.

Crystal’s only child, Sienna Grace, was pronounced stillborn during delivery at 41 weeks on January 16, 2022. She now advocates for better maternal, prenatal, postpartum, and bereavement care. She works in organizational and leadership development for a large industrial company, and in her free time she serves on the Board of Directors for Weighted Angels, a non-profit that provides weighted stuffed animals to hospitals for families that experience pregnancy and infant loss. Advocacy is her way of parenting her daughter and striving for better care for all mothers and babies.

My son Matthew was stillborn at 21 weeks in July of 2012. I live in Milwaukee WI with my husband and eldest son Robert. I moved to Wisconsin in 1999 and am originally from England. The loss of my son changed my life and put me on a different track. I am now a bereavement midwife and doula helping families through these similar situations.

Katie’s first baby, Theo, was stillborn at 23.5 weeks in May 2018 and completely changed her life. Katie is a professional geologist, currently on a career pause to stay home with Theo’s two little sisters. In her free time you’ll find her in her garden, reading epic fantasy, & calling her senate office to advocate for SHINE.