SANDS Whakatane

Welcome to Sands Whakatane. We are a voluntary, parent-run, non-profit organisation set up to support parents and families who have experienced the death of a baby at any stage during pregnancy, as a baby or infant.

If you have found this page because your baby has recently died, we extend our heartfelt sympathies to you. Many of our Sands members can relate to the feelings you are experiencing right now and we sincerely hope that the information on this page may be of some help to you over the following hours, days, months or years.

Most of our members/supporters are also bereaved parents. While we do not know exactly how you are feeling, we have been in similar circumstances. We offer empathy and understanding. We are not counsellors and do not give formal 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 at any stage in pregnancy, birth or as a newborn, and due to medical termination or other forms of reproductive loss.

Sands groups around the country are funded through grants and donations. We are not a government funded organisation. We greatly appreciate your support to help us continue supporting bereaved parents, families and whanau throughout New Zealand.

Locally our funds are put towards supplying our local hospital and midwives with support packs for anyone experiencing baby loss.

If you would like to discuss different ways of donating to Sands, or about Sands in general, please email sandswhakatane@hotmail.co.nz