The Western New York Chapter of Star Legacy Foundation was established in March 2018 and is located in Rochester, NY and supports surrounding areas such as Buffalo and Syracuse. We are a team of individuals who are passionate about supporting families and medical professionals regarding all aspects of pregnancy and infant loss.  Our chapter is 100% volunteer run and we are always looking for new team members and greatly appreciate all of the volunteers we currently have.Â
Please contact us if you are interested in joining our team! We would be honored to have you.
It is important to us that all families feel supported and welcome in this space. If you feel like Star Legacy Foundation is not providing you the specific support you need, please reach out to us so we can help meet your needs in the way you deserve.
Please note that these resources and projects are chapter-specific. To view our extensive supports and resources provided by the foundation, scroll down to the bottom of this page or click here.
This resource guide is a collection of local resources for families who tragically suffer the loss of a baby. This includes: local support groups, funeral home information and more. You are not alone.
This book library hospital program run by our volunteers gifts books to bereaved families in Western NY. Your book donation will go directly to a bereaved family so they are able to read to their baby at the hospital and bring the book home as a keepsake. We are currently supporting 13 hospitals in Rochester, Buffalo and Syracuse and surrounding areas.
Since stillborn babies tragically do not receive a Birth Certificate, many states offer a Certificate of Stillbirth or a Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth (this includes New York State). Learn more about how to obtain a certificate for your baby/babies by clicking the link above.
New York State has a few important pieces of legislation including a stillbirth tax credit and paid family leave to include stillbirth. If you would like to lean more about how to help pass these bills, please complete our volunteer form.
Star Legacy Foundation provides evidence based continuing education workshops on numerous topics pertaining to pregnancy & infant loss. Our chapter also offers free education provided by our Medical Chair, Dr. Heather Florescue. Email us to learn more!
Christina Fedczuk
Elisa Sharman
Heather Florescue, MD, FACOG
Nicole Collins
Monique Wallenhorst
Alyssa Curatalo
Rema Yaskulski
Christine Skivington
Star Legacy Foundation offers many supports and resources. Below, you will find some of our highlighted resources and supports.
We offer many free, virtual support groups. Learn more or register by clicking the link above.
We offer free peer-to-peer support where we match you with someone who has tragically had a similar experience with loss. If you want to learn more, be matched with a peer or become a trained peer yourself, click the link above.
We offer a wide selection of printed materials such as bereavement resources, support group cards, safe pregnancy support and more. All of our resources are completely free and ship free as well.Â
The Pregnancy Research Project is a research study bringing together patients and researchers to advance knowledge and discover preventions and treatments for poor pregnancy outcomes. Please consider giving the gift of data and becoming a participant.
Our Stillbirth Scorecards take the CDC stillbirth data and organizes it into a one page document you can share to raise awareness about the stillbirth crisis.
It would be an honor if we remembered your beloved baby alongside you.  Honor your babies with you by adding them as a star or creating a memorial page in their memory. Â
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Registered 501(c)(3) EIN: 26-0227601