Nonprofit wants to light Hoan Bridge pink and blue Oct. 15 to support those going through pregnancy and infant loss

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A Milwaukee-area nonprofit, Mattie's Memory, wants to light up the Hoan Bridge in honor of families who have experience pregnancy and infant loss. 

Hazel Jones started Mattie's Memory after have her son stillborn. They create burial gowns for babies using old wedding dresses. 

October is National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. As it nears, Jones wants Wisconsin to take part in the Wave of Light event.

"What a lot of places around the country do is turn their buildings pink and blue," said Jones. "Niagara Falls does, the Sydney Opera House in Australia does it, so we've been reaching out to buildings around the state of Wisconsin asking them to turn pink and blue." 

As part of that, Jones wants to see one of the brightest bridges in the country lit up. She is fundraising to turn the Hoan Bridge pink and blue. 

Jones says the support shows families going through loss that they're not alone. A feeling she experienced firsthand after losing her son. 

"Having that entire bridge lit up saying our babies are remembered," said Jones. "The fact that you can see it in so many parts of the county."

It holds even more meaning to Jones because a friend donated a bulb on the Hoan Bridge in honor of Jones' son. 

"Just having that there knowing that our son is acknowledged. People know he existed," said Jones. 

The Hoan Bridge will cost $500 to light on Oct.15 -- the national day of remembrance for pregnancy loss and infant death.