Sands Auckland Central Inc

Every year in NZ, over 600 babies die between 20 weeks gestation, and 12 months of age. The Ministry of Health estimates that 1-2 out of 10 pregnancies results in a miscarriage. Using these figures, we estimate between 7,500-14,750 miscarriages occur every year in New Zealand.

Sands Auckland runs support meetings and offers individual support in the community. We offer empathy and understanding. We are not counsellors and do not give professional advice but we do offer an opportunity and environment to share experiences, to talk and to listen. We promote awareness, understanding and support for those dealing with the death of a baby in pregnancy, birth or as a newborn, and due to medical termination or other forms of reproductive loss.

We provide inkless hand and footprint kits, clothing and memory books to the hospitals and to whānau. We also run workshops for health and caring professionals and hold events for whānau during Baby Loss Awareness Week. These are our ongoing regular projects. Long term we would like to be able to fund a stone at Purewa Cemetery in their memorial pathway in the childrens’ garden to represent all babies gone too soon. A peaceful place where bereaved whānau can come together.

All of the people involved in Sands give their time and energy voluntarily, most of our members/supporters are also bereaved parents. We are not a government funded organisation and rely on grants and donations. Therefore, any contribution to our group is greatly appreciated.