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Children’s Grief Awareness Day is Thursday

Courtesy photo Janet Fiochetta (left), UPMC Altoona volunteer for the past 25 years, and Tina Oeffinger of the Station Medical Center Gift Shop in Altoona are pictured with the display of Home Nursing Agency’s Healing Patch butterfly pins. Pins are being offered in several locations for a suggested donation to support local grieving children in observance of Children’s Grief Awareness Day on Thursday.

Public encouraged to wear blue, buy butterfly pins

One out of seven children will experience the death of a parent or sibling by age 20, according to the National Alliance of Grieving Children.

Join Home Nursing Agency’s Healing Patch in showing support of these often “forgotten mourners” on Children’s Grief Awareness Day, observed this Thursday.

“Many times, children are overlooked after a death occurs,” said Melody Ray, volunteer coordinator/grief specialist for Home Nursing Agency’s Healing Patch.

“Adults may assume that children aren’t grieving if they don’t act out or visibly struggle, but children are just like adults — they all process loss differently. It’s important to allow children to have the opportunity to express themselves and share with others, including their peers and family.”

The Thursday before Thanksgiving is set aside as Children’s Grief Awareness Day for an annual opportunity to recognize grieving children’s unique needs.

The public can show support on Thursday by wearing blue or a handmade blue butterfly pin.

As a symbol of hope for grieving children, the blue butterflies are being offered for a suggested donation of $1 each at the UPMC Altoona Gift Shop, UPMC Bedford Gift Shop, Station Medical Center Gift Shop and local Home Nursing Agency offices.

Home Nursing Agency started the Healing Patch in 2006 as a free program to help grieving children and their families through peer support, education and more.

The HNA “Butterfly Project” highlights the uniqueness of each child’s grief journey through the handmade butterfly pins, generously created by Healing Patch sewing and quilting volunteers.

The project not only raises awareness of the grieving children in our own communities, but also supports materials for Healing Patch activities in Blair and Cambria counties, as well as in-school peer support groups.

The public is encouraged to send any photos of themselves, family members, co-workers or others wearing blue or butterfly pins on Thursday to Melody Ray at mray@homenursingagency

.com. Submitted photos will be shared on the Home Nursing Agency/Healing Patch Facebook pages.

To learn more about local grief resources or refer a child/family for services, contact Home Nursing Agency’s Healing Patch at 800-445-6262 or visit www.homenursingagency

.com/our-services

/childrens-services

/healing-patch.

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