Finding Solutions: Local non-profit provides angel gowns to those who suffer from infant loss
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - October is pregnancy and infant loss awareness month and one local group has made it their mission to make sure families know they are here if they need them.
W.L.J Angel Gowns was created eight years ago after one mom experienced her own loss.
The organization is finding solutions in how they can provide for families in similar situations.
Bella Bruce’s daughter knows the pain so many mothers face. At 20 weeks pregnant she found out that her baby boy, Wyatt, had a fatal diagnosis.
He ed after 2 hours and 10 minutes.
“We did not have an angel gown for him when he ed, so my daughter had to spend the following day after she had Wyatt to try and find something for him. You can’t find anything for a 3-pound, 9-ounce, 15-inch baby,” said Bruce
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Bruce says she wanted to help other families who would have to search for that special gown their baby would wear one final time.
“I decided in August 2016 to do something to keep his memory alive and to help other angel families like my daughter,” said Bruce. “So, we created W.L.J Angel Gowns and WLJ stands for Wyatt Lee Johnson.”
Bruce and volunteers make the angel gowns from donated wedding dresses and formal wear. She says they have three sizes in their wraps and four sizes in their buntings.
Bruce says they donate them to families, hospitals and funeral homes not just locally, but across the U.S.
“I learned from angel families how to help the next family so it comes full circle for me and it helps my grandchildren know their baby brother’s ing helps other families,” she said.
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She says they have helped more than 500 families and have also provided five cuddle cots to hospitals. Three of those can be found in our area.
“The cuddle cot keeps the baby’s temperature regulated so it slows their transition down and allows the mom 1-2 days with their baby,” said Bruce
Bruce says she wants to normalize the conversation and reached out to the mayor who recognized Oct. 15 as pregnancy and infant loss awareness day.
“For the mayor to say ‘Hey I’m going to recognize this day,’ That’s huge for the infant loss community and that’s all we want,” she said. “We want to be treated like everyone else and be able to talk about our angels just like everyone else can talk about the loss of their mother, father, brother or sister.”
This organization has grown helping people internationally and they need your help at home.
Bruce says she could use some seamstresses to help make the angel gowns. She has the material, just needs the volunteers.
You can find more information on how to volunteer or donate on their website or Facebook page.
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