{"id":2899,"date":"2025-10-16T00:48:09","date_gmt":"2025-10-16T00:48:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/2899\/"},"modified":"2025-10-16T00:48:09","modified_gmt":"2025-10-16T00:48:09","slug":"empty-stroller-walk-raises-162000-for-grieving-families","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/2899\/","title":{"rendered":"Empty Stroller Walk raises $162,000 for grieving families"},"content":{"rendered":"

Walkers and runners pushed empty strollers in support of families grieving the loss of a baby during the 6th Annual Empty Stroller Run and Walk at the Berks County Heritage Center in Bern Township on Sunday, Oct. 12.<\/p>\n

In total, nearly 2,000 participated virtually and in-person at three walk sites (Heritage Center Oct. 12, Lewistown Oct. 18 and Scranton Oct. 19) to raise funds for the Adalyn Rose Foundation<\/a>, a nonprofit organization that provides support to families grieving the loss of a baby through miscarriage, stillbirth, or during infancy.<\/p>\n

\u201cSay their names. You walk that 5K or mile and think of your baby, talk about your baby and celebrate the impact that they have left on this beautiful world,\u201d\u00a0 Foundation co-founder Chloe Ciferri, mother of the foundation\u2019s namesake, said prior to the Remembrance Walk along the Tulpehocken Creek path.<\/p>\n

\"ParticipantsParticipants pushed empty strollers in support of families grieving the loss of a baby during the 6th Annual Empty Stroller Run and Walk at the Berks County Heritage Center in Bern Township on Sunday, Oct. 12. (Lisa Mitchell\/MediaNews Group)<\/p>\n

So far, the Empty Stroller Run and Walk has raised $162,000, including the two satellite events.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m just blown away by how big this has grown and by the love that is here today,\u201d co-founder and board president Adam Ciferri said to the crowd gathered at the Heritage Center grounds.<\/p>\n

Adam and Chloe Ciferri lost their daughter Adalyn Rose during the second trimester in 2017.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe felt so alone in that time and felt like there weren\u2019t supports around to help families that are experiencing the loss of a child,\u201d said Adam.<\/p>\n

That night, sitting in the hospital, Adam said they would do something in their daughter\u2019s honor and support families. In 2019, they launched the Adalyn Rose Foundation.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur programs have grown so much since then,\u201d said Adam. \u201cWhere we saw gaps where hospitals and families needed support, we\u2019ve always stepped in to fill those gaps.\u201d<\/p>\n

Foundation services include financial support for burial and cremation costs, partnerships with 47 hospitals in seven states, Remembrance Carts, training for healthcare professionals, community education, support groups and therapy.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen a family has a loss and they reach out to us, our family care coordinators really tailor the care for the family,\u201d said Adam.<\/p>\n

Programs and events continue to grow.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s become so much bigger than we ever imagined,\u201d said Chloe. \u201cWe\u2019re so grateful.\u201d<\/p>\n

At the walk, the Foundation announced the launch of new initiatives for early miscarriage and loss.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe noticed there were families that were suffering silently, and that\u2019s not okay,\u201d said Adam.<\/p>\n

At events like the Empty Stroller Walk, families connect with others who have been through a similar situation and can be surrounded by people who understand.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll see people crying, laughing. You\u2019ll feel the love. That\u2019s because it\u2019s one of the few places that they\u2019ll be able to feel all of those emotions and not have to hide anything or keep anything in,\u201d said Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s emotional because it literally shatters your heart,\u201d said Chloe. \u201cIt\u2019s okay to cry and it\u2019s okay to have fun and to laugh and feel all of the things.\u201d<\/p>\n

Empty Stroller<\/p>\n

The Empty Stroller Run and Walk featured a one-mile Remembrance Walk, a 5K run and a 10K run at the Berks County Heritage Center campus. The overall top runners were 5K female Kirsten Truver, 5K male Franklin Ramirez, 10K female Caitlin Browne and 10K male Mark Joseph.<\/p>\n

\"TopTop Overall 5K Female runner Kirsten Truver, center, celebrates with Adalyn Rose Foundation co-founders Adam and Chloe Ciferri during the 6th Annual Empty Stroller Run and Walk at the Berks County Heritage Center in Bern Township on Sunday, Oct. 12. (Lisa Mitchell\/MediaNews Group)<\/p>\n

\u201cFor us, it was really important to provide an opportunity for the community to get together,\u201d said Chloe. \u201cWe know you don\u2019t get to throw a birthday party for your baby \u2026 This is their birthday party. This is their day.\u201d<\/p>\n

A day of remembrance and celebration filled with love, hugs and tears, the family-friendly event included a post-race celebration featuring live music by Erich Cawalla and Friends from The Uptown Band, raffles, complimentary coffee and donuts, and local food trucks. The kids\u2019 area included face painting, vendor stations and photo opportunities with popular characters.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have things all over that allow people to say their baby\u2019s name, write their baby\u2019s name. Really take a day to celebrate their kid. They matter,\u201d said Chloe. \u201cThere are so many people here who are literally months out from loss or 8 years. There is so much hope.\u201d<\/p>\n

Teams big and small came out in memory of their lost babies.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are so many gifts that Adalyn gave us, but one of the biggest gifts is being able to really carry these other families who are in the thick of their grief and give them the support that we wish we\u2019d had,\u201d said Chloe.<\/p>\n

\"Rylee<\/p>\n

Rylee Benner, 2, poses for a photo with Chase of Paw Patrol during the 6th Annual Empty Stroller Run and Walk at the Berks County Heritage Center in Bern Township on Sunday, Oct. 12. (Lisa Mitchell\/MediaNews Group)\n<\/p>\n

\"Steven<\/p>\n

Steven and Amy Lied of Lancaster brought their twins Harper and Scarlett, 7, and their youngest Rowan, 2, far left, to the Empty Stroller Walk at the Berks County Heritage Center in Bern Township on Sunday, Oct. 12. (Lisa Mitchell\/MediaNews Group)\n<\/p>\n

\"Victoria<\/p>\n

Victoria Dorsey and Adam Hoover of Lancaster have participated in the Empty Stroller Run and Walk every year since its inception. (Lisa Mitchell\/MediaNews Group)\n<\/p>\n

\"Olaf<\/p>\n

Olaf and other characters offered hugs during the 6th Annual Empty Stroller Run and Walk at the Berks County Heritage Center in Bern Township on Sunday, Oct. 12. (Lisa Mitchell\/MediaNews Group)\n<\/p>\n

\"Elle<\/p>\n

Elle Rose Ciferri, 4, gets her face painted during the 6th Annual Empty Stroller Run and Walk at the Berks County Heritage Center in Bern Township on Sunday, Oct. 12. (Lisa Mitchell\/MediaNews Group)\n<\/p>\n

Show Caption<\/p>\n

1 of 5<\/p>\n

Rylee Benner, 2, poses for a photo with Chase of Paw Patrol during the 6th Annual Empty Stroller Run and Walk at the Berks County Heritage Center in Bern Township on Sunday, Oct. 12. (Lisa Mitchell\/MediaNews Group)\n<\/p>\n

Expand<\/a><\/p>\n

Ryan Benner of Columbia, Pa., took photos of Rylee, 2, with Chase from Paw Patrol.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a great event,\u201d said Benner. \u201cI like the Remembrance Walk, everyone walking together.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kim Francis of Reading and her daughter Charlotte, 3, decorated an empty stroller for Team Elle and Nathaniel.<\/p>\n

\u201cI like that this event is very community-oriented,\u201d said Francis. \u201cI just love that they are so supportive of the families that are affected by pregnancy and infant loss.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"KimKim Francis of Reading and her daughter Charlotte, 3, decorated an empty stroller for Team Elle and Nathaniel during the 6th Annual Empty Stroller Run and Walk at the Berks County Heritage Center in Bern Township on Sunday, Oct. 12. (Lisa Mitchell\/MediaNews Group)<\/p>\n

Adam Hoover and his fianc\u00e9e, Victoria Dorsey of Lancaste,r have participated every year since the event\u2019s inception.<\/p>\n

\u201cI like the community building. I think it\u2019s good to get people out in the community to bring awareness to the cause,\u201d said Hoover.<\/p>\n

Their empty stroller honored their nephew Hudson.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think our family has found a good community, and it\u2019s grown so much,\u201d said Dorsey.<\/p>\n

Steven and Amy Lied of Lancaster brought their children Scarlett and Harper, 7, and Rowan, 2, to the walk in remembrance of their firstborn, Asher Ray.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve been big fans of the Adalyn Rose Foundation,\u201d said Amy. \u201cObviously, we\u2019re here because we all have lost a child in some way, but it\u2019s still a fun family event. My children love it. They look forward to it every year, and it\u2019s a way to honor their older brother, as well as connect with other people who know the same loss.\u201d<\/p>\n

Team Liliana Jean\u2019s Legacy<\/p>\n

For eight years, Ken and Becky Manrodt of Shoemakersville tried to expand their family. Through natural cycles, fertility treatments and adoption, they stayed positive, knowing their time would come. In June of this year, they found out that Becky was eight weeks pregnant with a baby girl, Liliana.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe were shocked and so excited that our dreams were finally coming true,\u201d said Becky.<\/p>\n

In August, at just over 14 weeks, they heard those awful words: \u201cThere is no heartbeat.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOur world came crashing down as we assumed we were safe, as we were in our second trimester,\u201d said Becky.<\/p>\n

Filled with questions, the Mandrodts had no idea what to do.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Adalyn Rose Foundation came into our life at the darkest time. They allowed us to vocalize our emotions, assisted us through the process and ensured our baby girl was laid to rest in the most kind and respectful manner,\u201d said Becky.<\/p>\n

The Foundation provided kindness and guidance, a Remembrance Cart with keepsakes, cremation services, an urn and\/or memorial pieces, therapy sessions, and an Adalyn Rose Foundation Friend who also experienced a loss.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have never met such an amazing group of people,\u201d said Beckky. \u201cBy joining this walk, I hope to keep my daughter Liliana\u2019s memory alive while helping other families faced with this god awful situation. Nobody should have to walk this journey alone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"BeckyBecky and Ken Manrodt of Shoemakersville, center, and their team walked for Liliana Jean during the 6th Annual Empty Stroller Run and Walk at the Berks County Heritage Center in Bern Township on Sunday, Oct. 12. (Lisa Mitchell\/MediaNews Group)
\nSpeakers<\/p>\n

Foundation development director Ryley Daniels and hospital care coordinator Allie Kilheffer spoke to the crowd about Remembrance Bags, which offer comfort, guidance, items to honor their babies and support.<\/p>\n

\u201cHaving experienced the heartbreak of early pregnancy loss myself, I know just how lonely and invisible you can feel,\u201d Daniels said. \u201cThat is why this program is so close to my heart.\u201d<\/p>\n

Their hope is that Remembrance Bags will be sponsored in honor of angel babies by grieving families, friends, supporters and loved ones.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt gives everybody a chance to honor them in a meaningful way,\u201d said Daniels.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs we launch the distribution of our Remembrance Bag initiative to our health system partners, your support is essential to sustaining this,\u201d Kilheffer said.<\/p>\n

For more information, visit https:\/\/adalynrose.org\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"SpeakersSpeakers at the 6th Annual Empty Stroller Run and Walk at the Berks County Heritage Center Oct. 12 included Adalyn Rose Foundation family Steve and April Kok, Foundation development director Ryley Daniels and Foundation hospital care coordinator Allie Kilheff. (Lisa Mitchell\/MediaNews Group)<\/p>\n

Foundation family Steve and April Kok spoke about the loss of their son, Koen.<\/p>\n

\u201cEvery day since, we have been finding ways to create a legacy for him, nurture our bond even though he is not physically here with us,\u201d said April.\u00a0\u201cEvery family here today who has lost a baby is creating a legacy for their child.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is so difficult to be vulnerable and say that this happened to me,\u201d she continued.<\/p>\n

\u201cChild loss is traumatic. It\u2019s not just the death itself but the medical trauma, enduring multiple miscarriages, high-risk pregnancy, going through labor and delivery and caring for your body postpartum. In the aftermath, you\u2019re navigating triggers, financial stress and potentially lasting health challenges.\u201d<\/p>\n

While they should have been celebrating their newborn, instead, they were making funeral arrangements.<\/p>\n

\u201cLife after this type of loss truly is catastrophic,\u201d said April.<\/p>\n

Their journey to build a legacy for Koen began in the hospital.\u00a0 The Adalyn Rose Foundation helped them honor and remember their son in the short time they had with him by providing ways to make lasting memories, including hand and footprints.<\/p>\n

\u201cDespite the trauma, we genuinely cherish that time with Koen. It was devastating, but it was also so special and full of love,\u201d said April.<\/p>\n

April and her husband Steve thanked the Adalyn Rose Foundation.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey were there for us in a time that I couldn\u2019t even see past the next five minutes, let alone the next year of our life. They really picked us up. They walked us through it,\u201d said Steve. \u201cThis whole Foundation has been there for us. It\u2019s true this is the worst club and the best people.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdalyn has made an incredible impact on this community and her parents, Chloe and Adam, have created a remarkable legacy in her name,\u201d said April.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Walkers and runners pushed empty strollers in support of families grieving the loss of a baby during the…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2900,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[349,2567,182,2568,2569,28,128,130,129,706],"class_list":["post-2899","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-reading","tag-berks-county","tag-bern-township","tag-local-news","tag-patriot-item","tag-patriot-item-news","tag-pennsylvania","tag-reading-city","tag-reading-city-headlines","tag-reading-city-news","tag-top-stories-reg"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2899","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2899"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2899\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2900"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2899"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2899"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2899"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}