Allegheny Health Network’s Angel Heart Bereavement Team Hosts Annual Butterfly Release Event this Sunday to Support Local Families Grieving from Neonatal Loss

PITTSBURGH – Allegheny Health Network’s (AHN) Angel Heart Bereavement team will host its annual butterfly event to support local families that have suffered neonatal loss by providing them with a commemorative poem and live butterfly for release. This year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, families will be asked to drive to Friendship Park across from West Penn Hospital on Sunday, June 13 from 1 to 3 p.m. to receive honorary butterflies to later release at home in memory of their child. 

The Angel Heart Bereavement team is based out of West Penn and is an integral part of the network’s leading perinatal palliative care program known as “Olivia’s Angels.” Created by Marta Kolthoff, MD, the program launched in 2017 to provide additional palliative, hospice, grieving care and guidance for families preparing for or following neonatal loss.

“Although these losses don’t often receive much recognition, they are common with some estimates stating about one in four women will experience a pregnancy loss in her lifetime,” said Dr. Kolthoff, reproductive geneticist and clinical lead of the program. “Therefore, it’s vitally important that we acknowledge these losses, shed light on the very real grief process taking place and offer dedicated opportunities and tangible items that families can remember their babies by."

In addition to the butterfly release, the Angel Heart Bereavement team hosts a candlelight service and reception called “Wave of Light” every December. Throughout the year, the volunteer-based care team also offers regular support for those in need and provides grieving families with items like castings of the baby’s feet, stuffed animals and photos upon discharge.

“Without a birthday, these events offer immediate and extended family members a dedicated day to remember and pay tribute to their children,” continued Dr. Kolthoff. “Comprehensively, our team’s efforts work to reinforce recognition and connection to better support families throughout their grief journey.”

Olivia’s Angels also conducts perinatal loss and bereavement training for employees who regularly interact with patients who experience loss. Most recently, the program rolled out a pilot for women expecting an early-term miscarriage and has plans to launch tailored, virtual support groups for patients next month. It is the only program of its kind in western Pennsylvania.

WHAT: 
Annual Butterfly Release Event hosted by AHN’s perinatal palliative care program to support grieving local families and commemorate neonatal loss.

WHERE:
Friendship Park – across from West Penn Hospital
4900 Friendship Avenue
Pittsburgh, Pa 15224

WHEN:
Sunday, June 13
1 to 3 p.m.

WHO:

• Dr. Marta Kolthoff, clinical lead of Olivia’s Angels
• AHN volunteers & caregivers of the Angel Heart Bereavement team
• Leadership of AHN Women’s Institute
• More than 30 participating families

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