Pregnancy and Infant Loss Network

Family Panelist 

This volunteer role is intended for individuals who have personally experienced a pregnancy or infant loss.

Family Panelists are volunteers who share their personal story of pregnancy or infant loss during a 1-hour panel that takes place as part of a full-day Compassionate Care Workshop for health care providers. By sharing their lived experience, panelists help health care professionals gain deeper insight into how compassionate — or less compassionate — care can significantly impact families during and after loss.

These sessions are part of a broader effort to improve the experiences of future bereaved families by encouraging reflection, empathy, and system-level change.

Key responsibilities include:

• Briefly sharing your story in a way that feels safe and meaningful to you

• Attending a 1-hour virtual or in-person panel with up to 4 other volunteers

• Participating in a brief preparation conversation beforehand to help you feel supported and ready

After the panelists share their stories, the audience of health care providers will have the opportunity to ask general questions. Panelists are never expected to answer questions they are not comfortable with, and support is available throughout the experience.