Yuma Proclaimed October Loss Awareness Month
Mayor Doug Nicholls officially designated October to support families experiencing pregnancy and infant loss.
Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Pregnancy
The City of Yuma has officially designated October as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month to recognize grieving families. The initiative aims to reduce isolation and foster community support for those affected by pregnancy loss.
Why it matters
The proclamation seeks to break the stigma surrounding infant loss and bring grieving families together. By bringing public awareness to these experiences, the city hopes to prevent feelings of isolation for local residents.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 25% of pregnancies in the U.S. end in miscarriage, while 1 in 175 result in stillbirth. Globally, the World Health Organization estimates 44 miscarriages occur every minute.
The players
Doug Nicholls
Doug Nicholls is the Mayor of Yuma who signed the official proclamation designating the awareness month.
Melissa Zaremba
Melissa Zaremba is a local resident who petitioned the city government to recognize the cause.
Kurt Nelson
Kurt Nelson is a local resident who worked alongside Zaremba to petition for the city proclamation.
The details
Residents Melissa Zaremba and Kurt Nelson successfully petitioned the city to issue the formal proclamation. Mayor Doug Nicholls signed the document to ensure the community recognizes the emotional toll of infant loss.
Timeline
October 2026 marks the designated Awareness Month.
November 7, 2026, is the date for the annual Walk to Remember at Gateway Park.
Culture Shift
This proclamation follows the trend of cities using local government to acknowledge health realities documented by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It reflects a shift toward destigmatizing grief through public institutional recognition.
Residents can participate in the annual Walk to Remember to connect with others who have shared similar experiences. The proclamation serves as a formal invitation for the community to engage in support and awareness activities throughout October.
The takeaway
Recognizing pregnancy loss through city-wide initiatives helps shift grief from a private struggle to a shared community concern. Residents can support local families by attending organized events that foster connection and mutual healing.
What happens next
An annual Walk to Remember is scheduled to take place on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at Gateway Park.
Further reading
For additional context on local maternal health support, visit Pregnancy.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KYMA.
