Shine a Light on Stillbirth Awareness

Doula Synergy Joins Healthy Birth Day to Raise Awareness and Support Families Experiencing Loss

Landmarks across the United States will be illuminated in purple and teal on Friday, September 19, 2025, for National Stillbirth Prevention & Awareness Day, a day dedicated to honoring babies lost too soon and raising awareness about stillbirth prevention. In Salem, the Union Street Railroad Bridge will shine in these colors at dusk on both September 18 and 19, with a candlelit vigil on the evening of September 18.

This local participation is part of a growing nationwide movement to shed light on one of the most under-recognized public health crises. Each year, approximately 21,000 babies are stillborn in the U.S., more than deaths from SIDS and prematurity combined. Many of these losses may be preventable with greater awareness, education, and timely support.

National Stillbirth Prevention & Awareness Day was first recognized by Congress on September 19, 2022, thanks to the leadership of Senator Jeff Merkley. Subsequent bipartisan resolutions have continued to emphasize the urgent need for action and awareness.

Doula Synergy Collaborates with Healthy Birth Day

We are honored to collaborate with Healthy Birth Day, Inc., the nonprofit behind the Count the Kicks® stillbirth-prevention program, to participate in this year’s national day of remembrance and action.

Our organization was founded by Ashley Rose Salvitti, who experienced the stillbirth of her daughter Lena in 2018. Lena’s story is deeply personal — Ashley believes her death could have been prevented. This loss ignited our mission: to ensure that families never have to walk through grief and loss alone.

Through bereavement doula training, grief support, and community advocacy, Doula Synergy provides a critical missing component of care. We are transforming support for families navigating pregnancy and infant loss while raising awareness about stillbirth prevention through education and community engagement.

“Lighting up our community is a powerful visual reminder that families deserve better,” said Ashley Rose Salvitti, Founder of Doula Synergy. “By raising awareness, training doulas, and empowering families, we can help prevent stillbirths where possible and provide compassionate support when loss occurs.”

Grief Circles and Candlelit Vigil

As part of our ongoing community support, Doula Synergy offers monthly Pregnancy & Infant Loss Grief Circles at Salem Health, sponsored by Compass Perinatal Peer Support. These circles provide safe spaces for families to share their stories, connect with others who understand, and begin the healing process.

This month, the grief circle will be held on Thursday, September 18, followed by a candlelit vigil at 9:00 p.m. on the Union Street Railroad Bridge, which will be illuminated in purple and teal. Community members are invited to attend, wear purple and teal, and light a candle in honor of babies lost too soon. A photographer will be on-site to capture images of the evening to help break stigma, share stories, and spread awareness. Participants are encouraged to share photos on social media using #StillbirthAwareness.

Why Participation Matters

The vigil and bridge illumination are more than symbolic gestures. They serve as a visible reminder that stillbirth prevention and compassionate care for grieving families are urgent priorities. By participating, community members help:

• Raise awareness about stillbirth prevention and education

• Support families navigating pregnancy or infant loss

• Break stigma surrounding pregnancy loss and grief

• Strengthen community connection and advocacy efforts

  
  

Join Us

Whether you have experienced loss personally or want to support families who have, we welcome you to participate in this community vigil. Together, with Healthy Birth Day, we can honor babies gone too soon and help spark meaningful conversations that lead to prevention, awareness, and support.

Union Street Railroad Bridge

Event Details:

• Date: Thursday, September 18, 2025

• Time: Candlelit vigil at 9:00 p.m. (grief circle prior to vigil)

• Location: Union Street Railroad Bridge, Salem, OR

• Dress: Wear purple and teal

• Hashtag: #StillbirthAwareness

Together with Healthy Birth Day, we invite our community to shine a light on loss, hope, and prevention. By joining the vigil, sharing stories, or raising awareness online, you become part of a movement that honors babies gone too soon and supports families navigating grief — helping to create a future where fewer families experience this heartbreak.