For Friends & Family of Bereaved Parents

(907) 261-5895 Kris Green Parent & Community Coordinator 3200 Providence Drive Anchorage, Alaska 99508

Dear Family,
This poem by Dr. Ruth Hitchcock expresses the condolences felt by staff here at the Children’s Hospital at Providence:

I can’t say anything that will make things better,
but I can be there with you and share your anger,
the pain, and the bewilderment.
Most of all, I can let you know that I care
and that I won’t abandon you.

From: “A collection of Letters to Bereaved Parents”
Published by the Centering Corporation: Omaha, Nebraska

Children's Hospital Bereavement Council
The Children's Hospital at Providence has an active Bereavement Council composed of parents, physician, nursing and support leaders.  Together, we developed an integrated program supporting families who experience the loss of a pregnancy, infant, or child in the hospital. 

In addition, we support community-led iniatives for support to families after discharge from the hospital.  We actively support by recommending families use the services of:

• Parents Reaching Out, for losses during pregnancy and at birth
• Compassionate Friends, for losses of a child at any age
• C.L.I.M.B., for losses of one or more infants or children in a mutltiple birth
• The Forget-Me-Not Center, a program affilated with Hospice of Anchorage to help children as survivors of a loved one

We are also grateful to community groups who wish to support the Children Hospital's efforts by creating quilts, hand-stamped cards and folders, bereavment gowns, etc.  Please contact Kris at kgreen1@provak.org or call 261-5895 if you are interested in supporting the Children's Hospital Bereavment Council with donations of time, talents, or other resources.