ARC awareness week 23-27th April-what to do?

[majormoo]

I wanted a to ask what people thought about this. ARC (antenatal results and choices-www.arc-uk.org) have been invaluable to me during very tough times. 23th-27th April is their awareness week. During this week they want a drive to ensure GPs, hospitals etc are aware of their work and provide their literature and contact details to people when they need it, for example after an abnomality is diagnosed in their unborn baby. They also want people to raise funds for them during this week. I haven't thought of anything much to do-I am not good at running marathons, scaling buildings, doing skydives (well not since I went back packing 10 years ago) so was thinking I could make a few cakes and have a picnic and ask people to donate a few quid. However, I am a bit worried people might be offended I am asking them to give money to a cause they may not feel comfortable with. We are talking about a charity that helps people cope with terminations of pregnancy (although also with continuing pregnancies) and obviously people may not feel comfortable with this. Do you think I will offend people? We could just donate money ourselves, but then the whole point is to raise awareness of their work! Everytime I log on to the support group there seems to someone new going through the hell of losing their baby, so I feel I ought to do something, but am a bit unsure about what.

[jellybeans]

Hello, it's a brill idea to raise awareness, I too am an ARC member after loosing DD 5 years ago to a rare disorder. I also recently had a very late m/c but have been more involved with SANDS this time. I do know what you mean about some people not being supportive of ARC's aims (and fearing peoples judgements) but on the whole i think most people will be understanding, and like you said, ARC also now supports those continuing a pregnancy with problems and also advice to anyone considering antenatal testing. I think your ideas are great. I would say most people would be sympathetic to parents with a dire prognosis but at the end of the day it is up to them to choose whether to support the charity or not, you can only but try and ou will still be raising awareness. I wish you good luck!

[PeachyChocolateEClair]

majormoo I wouldn't worry, as we used ARC also after being told that DS3 might have Downs- in our case they helped us decide NOT to progress with tests and that was right for us (he wasn't DS, is ASD which couldn''t have been tested for anyhow). So really, I would explain to peolpe that they are an information and support charity- because they are. They help people make decisiosn and copr with the results of that decision, they don't reallya dvocate any one or the other.

[berrysmum]

Hi, I used ARC last year and found them great support. Know what you mean about the fundraising and people's thoughts about it though. I still often wonder if people really consider I made the wrong decision, so asking them to donate to it is tricky. I am considering asking the girls I work with to make a donation to ARC instead of buying me a "baby shower" present. Bit afraid though as have a couple of very religious ones who I would doubt agree with terminations for any reason at all. Such a tricky subject to raise awareness of.
I asked ARC to send me leaflets etc to take to GP's in the area but so far have not received them. Wonder if I should contact again.....?

[majormoo]

thanks for comments everyone(have been away for Easter so have just seen them.)Am going out on Friday night with the mums I met when I had DD so will mention the picnic idea then. fingers crossed.

I reckon you should call them again Berrysmum.

[berrysmum]

Hi, hope they liked your picnic idea. I called ARC again yesterday and they said they were sending all packs out last night so should get it soon. An going to target the GP's and my local hospital; as I didn't find out about their support group until I went for further tests in a teaching hospital. Would have been so much better to have had their literature from day one.
Hope all goes well and you raise lots of money!