July 12, 2019, marked my son Jimmy’s 5th birthday. Every year we remember him by going to the Botanical Gardens where we have a memorial tile for him in the Children’s Garden area by the tree house there. Every day we think about him and wonder who he would be now. We are so blessed that we have Danny and can get a glimpse of his older brother Jimmy through him, but that doesn’t take away the pain of losing him.

Jimmy (James Mason Astl) was stillborn on 7/12/2014 at 40 weeks. I went in for my final appointment with my doctor and heard the devastating words that there was no heartbeat and Jimmy had passed away. I honestly never thought that was possible. I have always heard that once you make it past 12 weeks you are ‘safe’. Jimmy was a perfectly healthy baby who died from an umbilical cord accident. I thought that he was safest inside of me and never knew the risks. Nobody likes to talk about stillbirth and infant death because it is such a painful subject, but as a result, so many mothers are not educated on risk factors and things to look out for.

One way that I personally have dealt with the loss of my son and tried to do something positive in his memory is through volunteering with Star Legacy Foundation. I helped to found the San Diego Chapter and currently serve as the Chapter Vice Chair. As part of this, we participate in local community outreach events, collaborate with the County of San Diego’s Maternal Health agency, and host an annual fundraising event.

Our event, Bowl for the Stars, is scheduled for Aug 18th this year, and I would love your support. This is a fun event where families get together for bowling, appetizers, and a silent auction to raise money for pregnancy and infant loss education, awareness, and prevention. The event is held at Urge Gastropub and Common House in San Marcos, which is a great venue with lots of stuff to do, eat, and drink. If you are local and can attend the event in person, I would love to see you there! If you are out of the area, there is also an option to bowl ‘virtually’, or to make a donation (either monetary or of an auction item).

Star Legacy Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to reducing pregnancy loss and neonatal death and improving care for families who experience such tragedies. As such, your donation is tax deductible. I know there are so many great causes out there to donate to, but I would truly appreciate your support with this event. I created ‘Team Jimmy!’ which I would love for you to join me on in Jimmy's memory.  (You can click Search for a Participant or Team from either the Registration or Donation pages and select "Team Jimmy!".

Thank you so much for your support and for remembering Jimmy with me,

Jill