We are thrilled to share that planning for this year’s Footsteps for Family Building Walk is underway!
We can’t wait to come together to celebrate the many ways that families are built this October. Whether you walk in-person at the Warren Conference Center and Inn in Ashland, MA or virtually from wherever you are, each step that we take helps ensure that anyone building their family has access to the support, resources, care, and community they need on their journey.
As this is National Volunteer Appreciation Week, we would be remiss if we didn’t take this opportunity to shine a light on the special people who are the driving force behind the Walk. Every year, the Footsteps for Family Building Walk Committee brings together committed and passionate volunteers from across New England – and there’s always room for more. We’re honored to have this year’s Walk Committee led by two amazing RNE community members, Brooke Hamilton and Colleen Lubin.
I am humbled and honored to be co-chairing the walk again this year! My partner and I struggled for years to expand our family before pursuing fertility treatments. Our children are here, in part, because of the support and information that RNE provides.
Many folks encounter similar struggles while growing their families, and I want them to know that they are not alone in this process. RNE are incredibly gracious and always happy to provide love, support, and necessary resources to our community.
When my husband and I got married, we knew we wanted to expand our family and have children. We did not anticipate our first few years of marriage would include recurrent pregnancy loss, countless tests and failed rounds of IVF. Experiencing several losses back to back felt extremely isolating.
When I felt like no one could understand what I was going through, I turned to the RNE support groups and found my people. After my two miracles were born, I wanted to give back to the organization that helped me through my darkest time so I served as a support group leader and on the walk committee. I am so excited to serve as co-chair this year!
There are so many wonderful ways to be a family and we look forward to celebrating them all together!
