Those Mourning Deaths of Children Await Sunday's Compassionate Friends Worldwide Candle Lighting

OAK BROOK, Ill., Dec. 5, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The day will grow still for tens of thousands of bereaved families this Sunday (December 11) as they observe with quiet meditation the 15th Compassionate Friends Worldwide Candle Lighting in memory of all children who have died at any age from any cause.

"This is a day when we join together to light candles and remember wonderful, but all too short memories, of those children who died before us," says Patricia Loder, Executive Director of The Compassionate Friends. "In spirit we join together to remember lives that ended far too soon."

The Worldwide Candle Lighting officially is held at 7 p.m. local time for one hour, although services are scheduled throughout the day in every state, Washington D.C. and as many as two dozen countries around the world. Anyone interested in attending a service open to the public is welcome to search for one nearby through TCF's national website listings at Worldwide Candle Lighting services. Information on hundreds of known services has been posted although many services remain unlisted.

"Our organization is uniting with sister groups, funeral homes, churches, hospitals, hospices, schools, and community groups in observing this day," says Mrs. Loder. Among those joining TCF in the observance over the past few years have been chapters of MADD, MISS, Parents of Murdered Children, SIDS Network, Gilda's Club, Twinless Twins, and BPUSA.

Anyone unable to attend a service, but wishing to participate, is asked to light a candle for one hour at 7 p.m. local time Sunday, wherever they may be, helping to create a virtual wave of light around the globe.

The Worldwide Candle Lighting was featured in a letter published in yesterday's (Sunday's) Dear Abby column. Coverage of the event in the U.S. will include hundreds of newspapers, as well as radio and television stations, says Mrs. Loder.

Those remembering children also have the opportunity during the event to post their thoughts in a Remembrance Book on TCF's national website. Last year more than 5,000 messages in many different languages were posted in a little over 24 hours from over 60 countries worldwide.

For more information on the event, visit Worldwide Candle Lighting or call TCF's National Office at 877-969-0010. The organization, which has more than 630 U.S. chapters, will observe the day on its Facebook Page plus its Online Support Community, which will have extended hours during Sunday's event.

Images:

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Compassionate Friends Worldwide Candle Lighting Poster

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What appears to be a butterfly or angel was visible in this photograph taken by Ryan Lovely of Stiles by Smiles Photography during the St. Joseph County Indiana TCF Chapter Worldwide Candle Lighting program last year.

Contact:
Wayne Loder
Public Awareness Coordinator
The Compassionate Friends
(Toll-free) 877-969-0010
E-mail: [email protected]

This press release was issued through eReleases(R).  For more information, visit eReleases Press Release Distribution at http://www.ereleases.com.

SOURCE The Compassionate Friends