MercyOne, UnityPoint Health and Guiding Star join the worldwide Wave of Light ceremony

MercyOne Waterloo Medical Center, UnityPoint Health - Allen Hospital and Guiding Star Cedar Valley will participate in the worldwide Wave of Light ceremony on October 15. This event supports parents, grandparents, siblings, and extended family members grieving the loss of their babies. All are welcome to attend, regardless of where they are in their grieving process.

The ceremony will be held at the Diamond Event Center in Cedar Falls from 6 to 8 p.m. Doors will open at 6 p.m. for the indoor portion of the event, with the ceremony beginning at 6:45 p.m. Around 7 p.m., the event will move outside to light candles or luminaries to honor pregnancies and infants who are gone but not forgotten.

People around the world will light candles at 7 p.m. in their local time, creating a global "Wave of Light" in memory of those who have experienced miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, stillbirth, sudden infant death syndrome, and other causes of infant loss, and to honor their lives.

"The Wave of Light is a powerful reminder that love endures beyond loss," said Suzanne Bellinger, clinical nurse specialist at MercyOne Waterloo Birth Center. "As we gather to remember these precious babies, we also reaffirm our commitment to supporting families with compassion, understanding and care throughout their grief journey."

"As a community, we want families who have experienced pregnancy or infant loss to know they are not alone," says Allison Wood, RN, at Allen Hospital. "This ceremony provides a time to remember babies who will always hold a special place in their families' hearts while also surrounding those families with support, compassion and hope."

Wave of Light Ceremony details:

• Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026

• Diamond Events Center, 5307 Caraway Ln, Cedar Falls

• 6 p.m. - Doors open

• 6:45 p.m.- Indoor ceremony

• 7 p.m. - Outdoor candle/luminary lighting

• Visit Facebook page for more information about the Wave of Light event.