Angel Babies Were Remembered & Celebrated at the Raising the SAILS Gala

Angel babies were remembered and celebrated at the Raising the SAILS Inaugural Gala presented by Stillborn and Infant Loss Support (SAILS).  Founded in Maryland in 2017 by Sadija Smiley, MBA, this nonprofit organization helps grieving families after they experience child loss by offering various assistance, such as financial assistance, keepsake boxes, grief support, and training and education. 

The event occurred on November 22, 2024, at the Silver Spring Civic Building in Silver Spring, MD. The evening included vendors, catered and served food, a silent auction, a raffle, a toast, and a picture booth while also recognizing those impacting the infant loss space in their communities.  The event also featured various speakers, such as the following: 

Due to his absence, Charles Johnson of 4Care for Moms presented a video message accepting his award. 

Liz O’Donnell shared a mother’s perspective on maternal health and family experiences.

Alexis Williams, Ms. Black Mississippi USA 2024, spoke about how her world stopped and how difficult it was to move forward after losing her daughter. However, she was able to turn that pain into purpose by creating her platform, Live in Color. 

Dr. Boss emphasized the importance of empathy and compassion from medical professionals during loss.

Firefighter Joshua McGill delivered a touching story about how his daughter impacted his and his wife’s lives in such a short amount of time and how they keep her memory alive. 

Councilwoman Loriann Sale’s keynote was well-received as she passionately discussed what Montgomery County is doing about maternal health. 

It was a touching event, and though it was a serious subject matter, it was also a joyous occasion attended by many. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 21,000 babies are stillborn in the U.S. each year, and this common loss served as a common thread for many in attendance.

“It was powerful to connect with folks all across the state, from all of the counties, no matter their profession or interest, you know, level, whether they were a parent, whether they were a provider or a community supporter- just to have folks come out and really support families that have experienced loss,” says the SAILS CEO Smiley. After the event, the SAILS organization announced they had raised over $50,000 at the Raising the SAILS Gala. 

Sponsors for the event included the Chrysanta Foundation, the City of Laurel, and CareFirst.