Butterfly Run returns but virtually

The Butterfly Run in support of Quinte region families who’ve experienced the loss of pregnancy and/or their infant children is back but of course in the COVID-19 era it will be different.

One of the three Butterfly Girls, Beth Primeau tells Quinte News that the run will be virtual this year and people are encouraged to register for it and do their runs in a safe manner anytime between May 1 and May 16.

A new development this year has been the creation of a large metal monument featuring butterflies created by local artist Shawn Donnan of Horizon Metal Works which will be placed near the bayfront at West Zwick’s Park.

“It will be there forever for people to go and, like just a place for people to go to remember and honour their lost babies because there’s not really anything like that right now.”

Primeau went on to say that Belleville General Hospital does have a Memorial Mural for parents to visit but for many, a visit to the hospital can trigger too many painful memories.

It’s hoped people will take photos of themselves on their run and submit them to the Butterfly Run website for distribution on social media.

To get involved simply visit the Butterfly Run Quinte website.

The local Butterfly Run, organized by Primeau, Loralee McInroy, and Barb Matteucci began in 2016 as a one-day event, growing in attendance each year until 2018.  In 2018, over 500 people participated in the run.

In that three-year period around $340,000 was raised to provide various items and other forms of support to families grieving their loss.

In 2019 the Butterfly Girls took a year off and the event had to be cancelled last year due to the pandemic.

This year monies raised will go to Belleville General Hospital’s maternity ward and to PAIL (Pregnancy and Infant Loss Network) based out of Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto which provides counselling, peer-group supports, and other services province-wide.