Ten fingers, ten toes to count, and a healthy baby are always top of the list for expecting parents. While this is not always the reality for all expecting parents. One family aims to aid other families in making memories to help them through this devastating time. “On September 3, 2015, my husband Ron and I delivered our daughter, Morgan. Perhaps, if we would have had more time, or someone who had been down this road before to guide us, we would have made some different choices.” said Jill Batey, founder of Morgan’s Purpose.

Morgan’s Purpose supports mothers who have experienced miscarriage, still birth or infant death by providing support/memory boxes. According to the CDC, in 2020, about 21,000 stillbirths, were reported in the United States. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) estimate that as many as 26% of all pregnancies end in miscarriage, up to 10% of clinically recognized pregnancies which leads to miscarriages being the most common form of pregnancy loss. Morgan’s Purpose grew from the heart of a mother who knows the loss of miscarriages, still birth and is now advocating for others because “Every. Moment. Matters.” The soul of Morgan’s Purpose is in the memory boxes that the organization provides to hospitals as well as to mothers across the United States. “You have to say good-bye in order to move on, and when you can’t say good-bye, you don’t ever get to move on. So, I struggled a lot with my miscarriage.”, Jill shared “Because the world around you doesn’t see it as a loss, to the world around you, it’s not a tangible loss, but you have nothing. If you’re lucky you have an ultrasound picture.” Every item in this box is specifically placed and has a purpose and among the contents is information that was unknown at the time of the loss of Morgan. This box provides mothers who have experienced miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant loss something tangible to hold on to no matter the circumstances. Jill also promotes organizations such as Count the Kicks, Sweet Grace Ministries and other organizations that relate to caring for you and your baby in all stages.

Did you know that in the United States, one in four pregnancies ends in miscarriage and one in 160 pregnancies end in still birth. October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. Baby Loss Awareness Week is observed annually from October 9 to October 15. This provides a platform for individuals and families to share their stories, raise awareness, provide comfort for grieving families, and promote compassion for those who have experienced the loss of a baby no matter what stage. Locally Morgan’s Purpose is hosting “A Walk to Remember” on October 15 at The Amphitheater located at Wintersmith Park in Ada. Registration begins at 6 p.m. and the event concludes at 9 p.m. after the closing ceremony and balloon release.

For more information you can visit https:// www.morganspurpose. net/ or you can visit the Facebook page Morgan’s Purpose.

by Danielle O’Daniel I am a student at ECU and am priviledged to help Jill Batey to share Morgan’s Purpose story.