Our mission is to assist the community in meeting the needs of people facing perinatal death, the death of a baby due to miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, stillbirth or early infant death.
We’re excited to partner once again with Angel Gowns of WNY for a Dress Donation Drop-off! Angel Gowns of WNY is dedicated to providing unique, beautiful Angel Gowns to every baby in need. This heartfelt mission honors the precious lives of these little ones while offering love and compassion to their grieving parents. For more information about their incredible work, please visit their Facebook page or website.
Angels Gowns of WNY Facebook
How to Donate:
Donation Guidelines:
Gowns must be gently used or new.
Only white or ivory gowns will be accepted.
Gowns should be less than 30 years old (no older than the 1990s).
We cannot accept gowns that are damaged, stained, or have a smoke odor.
Gowns with heavy beading, excessive tulle, or ruffles are unsuitable.
No Christening, Mother of the Bride/Groom, special occasion, or prom gowns.
Steps to Donate:
Send a Current Picture: If your gown meets the criteria, send a current picture of the front and back of your gown to AngelGownsofWNY@gmail.com Please ensure the gown is removed from any boxes or bags. Include your full name, contact information, and address in your email. If you are a bereaved parent, please specify that in your email.
Await Their Response: As they are a volunteer-run organization, please be patient as they review your submission. You will be informed whether or not your gown can be accepted and if so, provide details about the next upcoming donation day.
Your generous donation of a wedding gown can truly make a difference for families navigating unimaginable grief. If you have any questions or need further information, please email AngelGownsOfWNY@gmail.com
Joanna Bower, RN “I am deeply honored to be recognized as the recipient of the Perinatal Bereavement Nurse of the Year Award. This award holds profound meaning for me, both professionally and personally, as it represents the heart of my work— supporting families through some of their most difficult moments with compassion, dignity, and care. Perinatal loss is an experience that reshapes lives, my mission has always been to provide comfort, guidance, and a safe space for families navigating unimaginable grief. This recognition affirms the importance of that mission and highlights the crucial role that perinatal bereavement care plays in healthcare. Receiving this award is not just a reflection of my dedication but also a tribute to the families I have had the privilege of walking alongside. Their strength, love, and resilience continue to inspire me every day. It is also a testament to the incredible colleagues, mentors, and support systems that have shaped my journey in this field. I accept this award with gratitude and renewed commitment to advocating for compassionate perinatal bereavement care, ensuring that no family has to walk this path alone. Thank you for this incredible honor—it is a reminder of why I do what I do and a motivation to continue making a difference in the lives of the families I serve.”
Erin Hafer, RN “Receiving this bereavement award is both humbling and deeply meaningful to me. As a labor and delivery nurse for the past 25 years, I’ve had the profound privilege of standing beside women and families during some of their most joyous, and sometimes most heartbreaking moments. It is an honor to be able to support families who have experienced the unimaginable loss of a child. While nothing can take away their pain, I am grateful to simply be present, to hold space for their grief, and to offer comfort during such a vulnerable time. This recognition is a tribute to the strength and courage of the families who face unimaginable loss with grace and resilience. Their ability to hold love and grief in the same breath is nothing short of inspiring. Being present during such vulnerable moments is a solemn privilege, and it’s an honor to witness the deep love that exists even in the midst of sorrow. These families leave a lasting impact, reminding us all of the power of compassion, presence, and human connection.”
Glory Be To Kids “While we are truly grateful to be recognized tonight by the Western New York Perinatal Bereavement Network, the real honor has been getting to know all of you and your incredible mission— supporting families through the unimaginable loss of a child. Glory Be To Kids was born from our own heartbreak, following the sudden loss of a dear friend and the devastating impact it had on her 5-year-old son, Christopher. In the midst of our grief, we felt a deep need to do something—anything—to support him. Since we had all played softball together, it felt only natural to combine our love of the game with our love for our children. That first tournament helped us create a trust fund for Chris. What began as a single event has grown into something much bigger. Through various sporting events over the years, we’ve been able to raise more than $900,000 for 45 different children’s charities. This journey has given us the opportunity to support incredible organizations like yours—those who work tirelessly every day to bring comfort and hope to others.
As one of our co-founders so simply and powerfully put it:”There is no greater need than that of a child.”
On Saturday, April 26 , the WNYPBN held the 11th annual Elegant Evening to Remember Gala at Fox Valley Country Club. At this event, we honored physicians, nurses, advocates, and volunteers who have made a difference in the lives of bereaved families in Western New York. In addition to honoring individuals, the gala is a fundraiser that supports the programs of the WNYPBN. We extend our gratitude to the sponsors of this event. We recognize this year’s honorees and share their own words in response to receiving the award.
Dr. Heather Link “I am truly honored and humbled to receive this award. It is a privilege to be recognized by the WNY Perinatal Bereavement Network whose work is so important in our community and to be included in this group of dedicated and talented colleagues. I am grateful to the patients who allow me to care for them and share with them in their joys and sorrows. Maternal Fetal Medicine is a field that constantly challenges and teaches us, and I’m grateful every day for the opportunity to make a difference and to try to be the best part of someone else’s worst experience. Thank you for this meaningful recognition—it strengthens my commitment to compassionate, patient centered care and continued growth in this profession.
Dr. Sarah Wiese “I am humbled and thankful to receive this award. It is always gratifying to know you make such an impact in the lives of your patients. It speaks to a woman’s resilience that in her time of grief and recovery she should think of others, and nominate me for this award. One of the many reasons I became an OB/GYN in the first place. Not only do I get to form lifelong relationships with the women I care for, I also have the opportunity to help women navigate some of the most emotionally difficult times in their life. Being a physician has more than just caring for the physical body, but the mind as well, and it is times like this that make me feel I make a difference, and have chosen right path for my own life. The perinatal bereavement network is such an amazing and needed organization. I am thankful we have their presence in Buffalo, and grateful I am able to be here tonight to help support their continued mission.”
Dr. Catherine Falkner “When you enter the field of OB-GYN, you never dream about being a care provider for families of loss. We are trained to handle a number of difficult situations, but no one teaches you how to care for grieving families. I believe this to be a gift bestowed upon me, and for that, I am thankful. I feel blessed to have been granted the ability to handle “normal birth” as well as the spectrum of loss, with compassion. Words cannot express my gratitude, not only for this award, but also for keeping me humble. My families impacted by loss have been some of my closest patients in my career. I feel honored not only that they have allowed me into their lives at such a vulnerable time, but have chosen to keep me in their lives for years to come. Thank you to all the angels above and on Earth for such a distinguished award.”
Kellyn LaLiberty, RN “It is an honor to receive the Perinatal and Pediatric Advocacy Award and even more so to be a part of these children and families lives. It was 9 years ago that I cared for my first pediatric hospice patient, a 5-month-old little boy, after focusing mostly on adult care, and it was life changing. A few years and other pediatric experiences later, I decided to make the leap into the realm of perinatal, pediatric palliative and hospice care. I was fortunate to have a mentor, a previous Nurse of the Year and honoree tonight, that shared not only their knowledge, but their passion for this population. It was then I learned that it wasn’t only the children and the families that needed us, but the community, to continue to share our knowledge, expertise, and passion and to build relationships to better serve these families. Everyday I get to join a team of equally impassioned staff on the Essential Care for Children team and grow this mission of caring for children, expectant mothers, and their families and to educate and empower the community to do the same. It is also in building these very important community relationships that we can enhance our care and support these families to the fullest. We will never forget your babies and they will always continue to be the inspiration we need to do more.”
Kevin and Terri Ryan “It has been our pleasure to support this organization for the past nine years to assist the families during a difficult loss of a baby. Little did we know at the time, that we to would suffer the loss of our 5 1/2 month old Grandson Connor and the outpouring of support after from the staff and board of WNY Perinatal Bereavement Network. Kevin and I enjoyed the Walk to Remember each year the most. Meeting all the families and walking together in support of the loved ones we lost will always remain near and dear to our hearts. Although we are retiring now, we will always continue to support this organization and the caring staff that assist these families everyday. God Bless each and everyone of you.”
A heartfelt thank you to Glory Be to Kids for their incredibly generous donation of $33,770 raised through their 2024 events and fundraisers! On January 14th, we had the honor of receiving these funds, which were presented to the Western New York Perinatal Bereavement Network (WNYPBN). We are deeply grateful for this support, which will help us grow our programs and raise crucial awareness for the infant loss community.
We are also truly thankful for the dedication and hard work of Glory Be to Kids’ Board of Directors and all of its members. Your unwavering commitment to supporting children in our community is both inspiring and appreciated. We had a wonderful time volunteering at the events and connecting with so many incredible people!
Special thanks to Executive Director Emily Doring and Board members Joanna Weld and Terry O. Michalek for being present at the check presentation.
Due to the restrictions and safety precautions required by New York State because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the WNYPBN has to restructure our annual events. In response to this series of unfortunate circumstances, the creative team has come up with alternatives to our annual events, while still paying tribute to your beautiful babies and helping others who are in need of assistance after the loss of their babies, while keeping our community safe.
Please visit our Events tab for information about our upcoming 2022 Events and Fundraisers. We hope you are all able to participate in one or all of our events as we adapt to our “New Normal” and continue to stay in good health and be safe. We are grateful for your support!
Thank you, Emily, Christine, Sue, Kelly and our Event Volunteer Committee
