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Perinatal palliative care empowered us to parent our baby – to embrace the time we had with her even if only for a short while – and we discovered a profoundly meaningful journey.
- Joan’s Mom
Joan's Reach is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization started in memory of our daughter Joan.
During pregnancy, we learned through routine tests that Joan had a rare chromosome disorder called Trisomy 18. We were told that our baby would likely not survive and were offered termination of the pregnancy. Information to guide us in continuing the pregnancy was very limited. We were disappointed by the lack of understanding, options and support offered after Joan's diagnosis.
As prenatal testing advances, more families find themselves in this heartbreaking situation during their pregnancy -- knowing their baby's life will be brief.
Our mission is to support and guide families through diagnosis and beyond with helpful and compassionate resources, to honor the life of each child with dignity and compassion.
What we instinctively embraced as parents is a model of palliative care, sometimes called perinatal hospice. Driven by the strong instinct to parent our daughter – to provide comfort and care for her, even if only for a short while – we found compassionate individuals and resources to assist us. And we discovered a profoundly meaningful journey with Joan. Inspired by the many lessons Joan taught us and so many others in her short time on this earth, Joan's Reach was created.
Joan's Reach educates and promotes awareness of perinatal palliative care with healthcare providers and the local community. We offer comfort and guidance to families who face a difficult prenatal diagnosis.
What is perinatal palliative care?
Perinatal palliative care is a model of care for families who learn that their baby likely will die before or shortly after birth. Support begins at the time of diagnosis and includes:
- Emotional support, memory-making, birth planning, and medical decision-making
- Newborn care, medical treatments, hospice care, and grief support
This approach helps parents embrace whatever time they may have with their baby, before and after birth, and make meaningful memories.
Joan's Reach provides:
- Peer support - connect with other parents
- Family care packages - books, comfort items
- Resources for perinatal care providers
- Referrals to professional resources for birth planning and bereavement support
If you are a healthcare provider or family in need of support, or would like more information please contact us.