Calgary's Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support Centre (PILSC) reports a critical situation: demand for its services has doubled over the past year while a key provincial grant has ended.
The organization, which provides counselling and peer support, warns it may have to create waitlists for its programs by fall. Board Chair Jamie Khory notes that one in four reported pregnancies end in loss, underscoring the need for early mental health intervention.
The challenge is compounded by a financial blow. The Government of Alberta did not renew an annual $240,000 grant that PILSC had relied upon. Over 60 percent of the centre's funding comes from government sources, forcing a greater reliance on private fundraising.
The Ministry of Mental Health and Addiction stated it is committed to delivering health services efficiently but did not address the specific grant cancellation.
For families like Natalie Freckleton's, PILSC's community-based support is irreplaceable. After a miscarriage, she found the centre's peer connection vital for processing complex grief.
The centre's annual Legacy Run and Walk aims to raise $150,000 to sustain its unique blend of professional and peer support, ensuring families do not navigate their loss in isolation.