SHARE is a support group of and for parents who have lost children through miscarriage, stillbirth or infant death. We believe that, with compassionate support, parents can more quickly and effectively learn to live with their grief. We provide, through group sessions and individual contact, the opportunity to meet with others who have been through similar experiences, to ask questions and be answered, and to gain the strength to go on.

Many of us learned, through bitter experience, that in the case of unborn or newborn babies who die, some people are indifferent to them. Emotions may range from indifference to hostility if a bereaved parent grieves for his or her lost child. We believe that, as with any other death, grief is a normal, healthy response and the premature or irrational repression of grief is, in fact, unnatural. We are there when no one else may be.

SHARE is a non-profit organization dedicated solely to the purpose of aiding bereaved parents. There are more than 200 groups that grew from the original group in Springfield, Ill., with chapters in West Germany, South Africa, Italy, and Canada. Many more are in the process of forming.

SHARE is the largest perinatal bereavement support group in the U.S. We are also part of a much larger network of similar groups all over the world. It is the philosophy of Mercy Health System of Northwest Arkansas, who generously supports SHARE, to respond to anyone who needs our support, regardless of when, where or how the death of their child occurred. We maintain no membership rolls, ask for no dues or fees, and place no demands on attendance or participation.

Support group meetings are the second Thursday of each month at 7:00 PM. Individual contact is available when needed.

First, we listen, encouraging parents to share their grief rather than trying to bear the whole burden alone. We counsel, not therapeutically but lovingly, answering what questions we can and finding those who can answer the rest. We serve by providing, at no cost, keepsakes, information and small mementos at a time when decisions require more strength and time than parents have.

Often parents are at a loss in planning their farewell rituals and we will assist them with options and resources for planning a meaningful service. Knowing that they are not alone helps many parents endure. We can network parents with other parents with similar experiences. We will respond to anyone through correspondence, phone calls or one-on-one in addition to the support group.

If you have experienced the loss of a baby and want to talk, no matter how much or how little time has passed, please call us. Frequently, people approach us saying, "It has been five (and sometimes more) years since I lost my child and I sure wish you had been around then." If you know women who have suffered a recent loss, let them know about us. If they live elsewhere, talk to us and we may be able to direct you or them to a group in their area. If you simply want to know more, we will be happy to meet and talk with you.