Annual remembrance ceremony at Brandon Hospital honors the tragic memory of infants and provides comfort to families

Every year, families and close friends, who have experienced the loss of a child are invited to gather at Adam's Garden on the grounds of HCA Florida Brandon Hospital. A remembrance ceremony is held annually on October 15, Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day, with a candle lighting, roll-call and slide show of these babies lost too early. It will be held this year from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Brandon Hospital at 119 Oakfield Drive, Brandon, FL 33511.

The 18^th anniversary of this ceremony is special, with phase one of the renovation of Adam's Garden nearing completion. The garden is located under a canopy of large oak trees, with a wrought-iron arch, a new memorial wall and plaque honoring the passing of Adam Cardman Allred, a life lost too soon.

"Our son, Adam passed in 2004, and he would be 20 this year. When we return to the garden, we share a moment as a family to feel the loss and sadness, and honor our son's memory. The garden and new memorial will continue to comfort others in their moment of need," said Adam's father, Scott Allred.

"We want Adam's Garden to provide a calming, reflective space for families for years to come. Every effort was made so families returning to the garden could walk up and touch their babies' engraved memorial nameplate, which has been preserved with care." said Laurie Van Damme, patient care navigator at Brandon Hospital and founder of Adam's Garden.

A local family-owned metal works company that worked on the original garden contributed to the renovation of Adam's garden. Diego Smude, a skilled metal works artist and dad, hand-crafted the tree-entwined arch by bending and shaping wrought and cast iron and adding ceramic birds.

His son, Arley brought that same craftsmanship to thesteelheart-felt words welded to adorn the new memorial wall. These words, "Always Loved, Always Cherished, Always Remembered" were sentiments that were incorporated from the original garden design his dad helped craft years ago, but still resonate today.

Besides the new remembrance memorial, the renovated garden is a sanctuary. It provides a peaceful place for family members, patients and the public to go during a difficult time. It's a place to think, regroup and heal, surrounded by nature.

Adam's Garden was inspired by the love of a son and a brother, whose time was fleeting but his memory endures. The Allred family will attend the special event again this year along with many other families who share in their loss.

Media is invited to attend the event at Adam's Garden, located on the northeast corner of the hospital grounds.

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