Fourth annual Ottawa Butterfly Run goes virtual to raise funds, awareness for infant loss

An event being held this weekend aims to draw attention to bereaving parents.

The Ottawa Butterfly Run is an annual family walk/run designed to support anyone who has experienced miscarriage, infant loss and/or infertility. 

All proceeds from the event go to support Roger Neilson House (RNH), on the grounds of CHEO. 

RNH offers a Perinatal Hospice program which provides support to families whose babies are likely to die before, during, or shortly after birth. RNH also offers a Perinatal Loss Bereavement Support Group for parents who have lost a pregnancy over 20 weeks or infant death.

“Our family lost our son at 38 weeks gestation; it was an unexplainable stillbirth,” says Julia Winslow, co-chair and run director of the Ottawa Butterfly Run. “I didn't even know about Roger Neilson House when we lost Carter. We had nobody. When we lost Carter, I was given a suicide prevention pamphlet and told a social worker would call me.”

Due to COVID-19, this year's event, being held Saturday, October 3 and Sunday October 4, will be much more virtual. Participants will be walking in small groups, adhering to public health safety guidelines for COVID-19.

All participants are encouraged to take plenty of photos and post to social media using the hastags #butterflyrunottawa2020 and #virtualrun, and this year, you can really make a difference even if you're not signed up. 

“What I would love to see is your listeners to go out and tag the Butterfly Run on social media this weekend so we see it,” Julia says. “Use the hashtag so that it pops up in our feed. We would love to show the community just how much support is out there.” 

Click here to learn more about The Ottawa Butterfly run and Roger Neilson House.

Click here to make a donation to the cause. The fundraising page will be open until the end of October.