Compassionate Friends Concurrent Walks Support Country's Families Grieving Loss of a Child

Fifteen communities across the country will host walks Sunday, July 7 on the same day as The Compassionate Friends National 25th National Conference two-mile "Walk to Remember." The Compassionate Friends is the world's largest self-help bereavement organization providing support to as many as 300,000 people this year through its 600 chapters covering every state.

Fifteen communities across the country will host walks Sunday, July 7 as bereaved parents, siblings, family members and friends remember children who have died, but are still remembered in the hearts of those left behind.

The walks are the same day as the annual two-mile Walk to Remember," being held in Salt Lake City by The Compassionate Friends at its 25th national conference. The Compassionate Friends is the worlds largest self-help bereavement organization, providing support to as many as 300,000 people this year through its nearly 600 chapters covering every state.

This is the first year for our concurrent walks," said Patricia Loder, executive director. We are pleased and excited that communities across the country are embracing this concept and that hundreds of bereaved families and friends will be joining the nearly 1,000 we are expecting to walk in Salt Lake City."

States with concurrent walks include Arizona, California (2), Florida, Hawaii, Illinois (2), Michigan, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania (2), Texas (2), and Virginia. Starting times vary.

The 8 a.m. Walk to Remember" in Salt Lake City begins the final day of a national conference July 5-7 that features 84 conference workshops aimed at bereaved parents, siblings, grandparents and other family members. Featured conference speakers include: Harriet Schiff, author of The Bereaved Parent"; Richard Paul Evans, author of The Christmas Box"; and Melody Beattie, author of Lessons of Love."

In conjunction with the conference, a Professionals Day" will be held Wednesday, July 3rd. It is aimed at psychiatrists, psychologists, medical doctors, nurses, social workers, firemen, paramedics, clergy, and others who work with families that have experienced the death of a child.

For more information on the concurrent walks or conference registration, visit the TCF national Web site at www.compassionatefriends.org.

####