RLG Memorial Fund

After a healthy pregnancy, our daughter, Riley Lois Green was born still on July 8, 2023 at 28 weeks gestation. Unfortunately, what we experienced was an unexplained stillbirth which accounts for more than half of all stillbirths.

While her time here on Earth was short, she was - and is - so loved and will forever be our daughter. As her parents, we hope to carry her life and legacy on. On September 7th, we will be holding a memorial service in her honor. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the RLG Memorial Fund.

Stillbirth is not something we ever thought we would experience, and while it was the worst experience of our lives, there were people and organizations that we encountered during that time that brought us, and continue to bring us, so much comfort and light amongst the darkness.

One in every 160 pregnancies in the U.S. end in stillbirth each year. While that number is far too high, it’s our hope that the families that do end up experiencing this heartbreaking loss will have access to the same compassionate care and support that we were blessed to experience. We hope to make Riley proud.

Her time with us was short, but she made a big impact on our lives and we hope to keep her name and memory alive by giving back in her honor. Please join us in keeping Riley’s memory alive whether that’s thinking about her, sharing her story, performing an act of kindness or contributing to the RLG Memorial Fund. Together, we can keep Riley’s memory alive.

Money raised for the RLG Memorial Fund will go directly to organizations and efforts that are doing supporting bereaved families experiencing pregnancy and/or infant loss in the Central Virginia area.

Here are some of the organizations that we hope to donate these funds to and how they have helped us:

CuddleCot

The CuddleCot is a cooling mattress that is placed in a bassinet to regulate a deceased baby’s body temperature, preventing color change for hours and sometimes days. This technology gives parents and other loved ones the gift of time with their baby. In our case, we were able to spend 26 hours with our girl. It allows families time to bond, take pictures and make unforgettable memories all while experiencing an unimaginable loss. The cost for a CuddleCot is around $3,000 and we would like to donate one in Riley’s memory to a local hospital/L&D unit that doesn’t currently have this resource available to patients.

Weighted Angels

Weighted Angels is a local non-profit organization formed by a group of bereaved mothers looking to provide comfort to families experiencing pregnancy and infant loss. They make weighted stuffed animals that mimic the weight of babies who have passed away during pregnancy or shortly after birth. Their mission is that no families leave the hospital empty-handed. We received a weighted angel close to Riley’s birth weight (a giraffe which has now become our symbol for her) and it has provided so much comfort to us.

Angel Gowns

Angel gowns are beautiful, tiny, handsewn burial gowns for babies that have usually been made from recycled wedding dresses. These gowns are donated to hospitals for families experiencing stillbirth or baby loss. We were given a handful of custom gowns to choose from for Riley and laying her to rest in such a beautiful, white gown was so special to us.

Other organizations supporting families experiencing stillbirth may be determined at a later date, for example, bereavement programs at local hospitals, a local grief support center, etc.