THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING AND FOR YOUR GENEROSITY
The first annual Turkey Trot was a huge success, and the organizers would like to thank everyone who participated, volunteered or sponsored a team or the event
“Time cannot steal the precious memories we carry in our hearts.”
In Loving Memory of
Derek Joseph Sundwall
October 12, 1985
I would like to thank you for taking time to visit the IRIS website and for exploring the IRIS Turkey Trot. I, like most of the IRIS Volunteers have also had a child die. My third child, Derek Joseph, was stillborn at 39 weeks and 4 days (full term) on October 12, 1985.
He seemed so perfect in every way.
Following Derek’s silent birth, there were many tears and even more unanswered questions. Considering the attitude of the 80’s, what happened next is quite extraordinary. The hospital staff gave us the opportunity to hold Derek for 3 hours, something that was very unusual for the time. We used that time to take what are now priceless pictures of this precious family member, time that I will always be thankful for.
Following Derek’s death I spent many hours looking for information on stillbirth. My friends and family also looked for resources and found very little. I found myself becoming more and more passionate about finding information that would help me.
At my six week checkup my doctor said “There were no medical reasons that Derek died and if I needed a reason, it has to be to help others who experience the same thing.” Shortly after that appointment other women who had experienced losses started contacting me. Two years later (in 1987) with the help of two friends, Chris Petricka and Robyn Fritz, what is now known as
Infants Remembered In Silence, Inc.(IRIS) was founded.
Our goal at that time was to help “one” person a year, locally in Faribault, Minnesota. Today IRIS is a respected international organization based in Faribault. IRIS is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization that has over 300 volunteers and works with between 6 and 7 thousand people in southern Minnesota each year and thousands more around the world. We have an advocate program (the only one that we know of in the world that works directly with the parents and their baby in the hospitals and funeral home settings). We answer questions, help create breathtaking keepsakes, have designed burial clothing for infants 2 – 24 inches in length, offer bereavement support packets, host support groups, scrapbooking events, a holiday service of remembrance, a website www.irisRemembers.com, training, and much more.
Even though Derek was not alive at birth, he truly has touched and changed the lives of thousands of people around the world. I believe we have found his purpose and the reason for his brief life. It is my hope that you will be able to help support this wonderful and very personal cause by joining me in walking (or running) on Thanksgiving morning (November 26, 2009). If this isn't possible, you are welcome to offer financial support to this great organization by making a tax-deductible donation today by simply clicking on "sponsor us".
An Angel in the book of life,
Wrote down your baby’s birth,
And whispered as she closed the book…
Too beautiful for earth . . .
(author unknown)
Team Sponsors:
Name
Date
Amount
Message
Diana Sundwall
10/22/2009
$20.00
Anita Krieg
10/23/2009
$25.00
Jacob Cook
10/26/2009
$20.00
KATHRYN RAIDT
11/10/2009
$50.00
Sara Alexander
11/14/2009
$20.00
Diana is walking for my precious Hannah Marie Alexander ~ Our Angel
Margaret & JD Walker
11/16/2009
$50.00
In memory of our Godson
Janell & Butch LaCanne
11/17/2009
$100.00
In Memory of our Grandchildren Chase Douglas & Finley Rae LaCanne
Lori Jo & Todd Markman
11/18/2009
$50.00
In Memory of Joseph Thomas Markman ~ Happy 13th Birthday!
