Finding Community – The Legacy of Wilder Jay
Description
In the final episode of Season 2, we meet Kimberly Lockhart, bereaved Mama to Wilder Jay, who was stillborn at full term. Kimberly shares Wilder Jay’s birth story and her deep need for connection and resources to support her grief journey, which led her and other bereaved parents to organize the inaugural Vancouver Butterfly Run in 2019. Today, the Butterfly Run supports the Butterfly Support Network, which helps families whose lives have been touched by infertility, pregnancy loss, and infant loss. As Wilder Jay’s legacy, the Butterfly Support Network aims to ensure that anyone who experiences loss on their journey to parenthood finds community and doesn’t walk alone.
Key Insights
[3:44 ] “...we were able to have access to a Cuddle Cot.”
- CuddleCots provide continuous regulated cooling, enabling families extended time to create memories, welcome family, receive support and plan.
[5:19 ] “...the first question was like: do I have to go through the delivery process?
And of course, the answer was yes, right?”
- Unless there is a medical reason for recommending a cesarean section (c-section), most people whose baby has died before labour begins will be advised to have a vaginal birth. Your healthcare team should talk with you about options and support as you make the decision best for you.
[13:33 ] “...there was another Tiny Footprints Walk that was in Alberta.”
- The Tiny Footprints Society was created in Calgary in 2016 and holds their annual walk in October.
[13:38 ] “There was another Memorial Walk and Run Butterfly Run Ottawa...”
- The Butterfly Run Ottawa raises awareness and support for pregnancy loss, infant loss and infertility. All proceeds from the Run go to Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice, a pediatric palliative care hospice.
[15:51 ] “You made a decision to donate Wilder's milk...”
- The BC Women’s Provincial Milk Bank collects donated milk and gives it to sick or very tiny babies in over 23 hospitals. Learn about Kim’s decision to donate milk.
[21:25 ] “So for 2025 we have a walk and run in October in Vancouver, Kelowna,
Nanaimo and Whistler...”
- The first Butterfly Run Vancouver, in 2019, surpassed attendance and fundraising goals. In 2025 the Butterfly Run expanded to Vancouver, Kelowna, Nanaimo and Whistler.
Resources
British Columbia
- Butterfly Support Network
- Miscarriage & Treatment Options
- Recurrent Pregnancy Loss
- After the Loss of Your Baby
- Supporting the Stillbirth Journey at BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre
Alberta
- Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support Centre
- Pregnancy & Infant Loss – Grief Support
- After Your Miscarriage
- After Your Stillbirth
- After the Loss of Your Newborn
- Video: A Parent’s View of Pregnancy and Infant Loss
- Heal Grief: Providing Community, Support & Connections
Saskatchewan
- Pregnancy & Infant Loss
- Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support Centre
- Empty Arms Perinatal Loss Support Services
Manitoba
Ontario
- Pregnancy & Infant Loss (PAIL) Network – Sunnybrook Hospital
- Markham Fertility Centre: Recurrent Pregnancy Loss
- Ottawa Fertility Centre: Pregnancy Loss
Québec
- Centre for Reproductive Loss/Centre Des Pertes Reproductives
- Grieving Reproductive Loss: The Healing Process
- Parents Orphelins: The Quebec Association of Parents Experiencing Perinatal Bereavement
- Réseau des Centres de Ressources Périnatales du Québec
- Jewish General Hospital: Early Pregnancy Loss
- The Family Care Collective: the Perinatal Loss Project
- Women on the Rise
Atlantic Provinces
- IWK Health Centre, Nova Scotia
- ROSE Clinic, Nova Scotia
- Government of Prince Edward Island: Pregnancy Loss
- PEI: Sexual Health, Options & Reproductive Services
- NL: Health Services: Loss During Pregnancy
- NL: Perinatal Bereavement
- NL: Bereavement Services
- NL: Bridge the gapp
- NL: Perinatal Mental Health and Fertility
- Fertility Matters Canada, support group for the Atlantic Provinces
Territories