Des Moines Residents Held 27th Annual Walk to Remember
The event at Union Park honored infants lost to miscarriage, stillbirth, and other pregnancy-related complications.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Pregnancy
About 300 people gathered at Union Park on Sunday for the 27th annual Walk to Remember. The event offered a space for families to connect and honor babies lost to miscarriage, stillbirth, ectopic pregnancy, and newborn death.
Why it matters
The walk provides a support community for grieving families to process their experiences with others who have shared similar losses. It serves as an annual opportunity for local residents to commemorate their children in a communal setting.
This year marked the 27th annual iteration of the event, which drew approximately 300 participants. Long-time supporters such as attendee Lina Guerrero noted that this was her 12th year participating in the memorial.
The players
MercyOne
MercyOne is a healthcare organization that hosted the memorial walk to support local families in Des Moines.
Lina Guerrero
Lina Guerrero is a community member who has participated in the annual memorial event 12 times.
The details
Families walked through Union Park to reflect on their experiences before gathering at the Heritage Carousel. The event focuses on bringing together those affected by various pregnancy and infant losses to foster community connections.
Timeline
The 27th annual Walk to Remember took place on October 11, 2026.
Culture Shift
This event reflects a broader societal shift toward public memorialization and the creation of dedicated support networks for families experiencing pregnancy and infant loss. It demonstrates a growing cultural movement to openly acknowledge grief that was historically private.
Residents seeking community support following an infant loss can engage with annual events like this to connect with peers in the area. These gatherings offer a practical outlet for shared grieving and long-term community healing.
The takeaway
Communal grieving events offer families a safe space to find solidarity while navigating the complexities of infant loss. Engaging with local support networks can be an essential step for individuals looking for peer understanding and recognition of their loss.
Further reading
Find additional resources and support systems on the Pregnancy page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Who13.
