Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day honored by HCA Florida Brandon Hospital

On Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day, families and close friends, who have lost their baby too young are invited to gather at Adam's Garden at HCA Florida Brandon Hospital. A remembrance ceremony is held annually on October 15, with a candle lighting, roll call and a remembrance slide show. It will be held this year from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Brandon Hospital at 119 Oakfield Drive, Brandon, FL 33511.

Adam's Garden is located near the north parking garage, closest to the Women's Center entrance for HCA Florida Brandon Hospital. A wrought iron arch frames the entry to the garden with a plaque honoring the namesake of the garden, Adam Cardman Allred. The new memorial wall built last year honors the babies lost too soon. Each baby has their own engraved nameplate on the stone memorial wall.

"Each year, we come together to honor the precious lives of babies gone lost too soon and to support the families who carry their memory." said Laurie Van Damme, perinatal nurse navigator at Brandon Hospital and founder of Adam's Garden. "During the ceremony, families are able to see their baby's name on the memorial wall, hear it read aloud and light a candle in their memory -all reminders that their baby will never be forgotten."

Adam, the namesake of the garden, although his life was fleeting, his spirit lives on in the garden. Adam's Garden provides a peaceful place for family members, patients and the public to go during a difficult time. It's a place to reflect and pray for strength surrounded by nature. The garden is a sanctuary, shaded by a rich canopy of oak trees.

Media is invited to attend the event at Adam's Garden, located on the northeast corner of the hospital grounds.