The Early Pregnancy Loss Association provides care kits to women who have suffered miscarriages. Courtesy | Facebook

Money will go to post-loss kits

The Early Pregnancy Loss Association will raise funds for women struggling with early pregnancy loss at its third gala event on Oct. 12. 

The event will take place in the Elizabeth Hoynak Archive Center at 7 p.m. 

“It has always been our vision to make sure that those suffering from early pregnancy loss do not suffer alone,” Executive Director Emily Carrington said. “This event will create fellowship with people who have had these shared experiences and also highlight the help that we have been able to provide.”  

The EPLA is a nonprofit organization founded in 2016 that provides support to women experiencing early pregnancy loss. Its two main services are providing free miscarriage kits to women and a bill-pay program that provides up to $500 in relief to women for miscarriage-related bills from Hillsdale Hospital.

President of the EPLA Board of Directors Maria Servold said the gala will fundraise money for these services. 

“Funds raised at the gala will go toward our core service, creating and sending miscarriage kits,” Servold said. “We think it’s important to continue to provide these kits free of charge, so it’s essential that we build financial support through events like this.” 

Servold, the assistant director of the Dow Journalism Program, said that more than 800 kits have been distributed locally, around the state, and across the nation within the past year. 

Servold said more funding will help with the costs of shipping. 

“We would love to have more of our donors give on a monthly basis,” Servold said. “That would ease the costs we face for shipping kits across the country.”

The event will feature live jazz music, hors d’oeuvres, drinks, a basket raffle, and opportunities to learn about EPLA’s services and its growth. 

Carrington said the gala will be a time of fellowship. 

“Although we are talking about something serious, it is still an uplifting, lighthearted time when we can all come together and feel blessed and supported by this community,” Carrington said. “It has been an important  time for many of us emotionally and spiritually.” 

The event costs $50 per person but sponsorships are available. Those interested can buy tickets online by visiting miscarriagecare.com/donate.

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