By Diana Telles, Heaven’s Gain Volunteer

For every beautiful blessing received into Heaven there is profound earthly loss. Miscarriage and perinatal death bring a uniquely different type of loss, one that is notoriously difficult for parents and families to navigate.

Impeded by societal stigma and lack of education, our religious communities, medical professionals, and even the funeral industry are sorely lacking in the resources to assist families in a healthy and reverent approach to perinatal loss and resulting grief.

Sadly, pregnancy loss is not unusual. One in five pregnancies is deceased in the first trimester, one in thirty-three babies die in the second trimester, one in 160 babies is stillborn or dies after being born prematurely in the third trimester.

Inspired by these statistics and the devastating losses of their own three babies to late miscarriage, Jim and Donna Murphy established Heaven’s Gain Ministries (HGM) in their basement in 2008. Today, operating from a sizable office on Harrison Avenue on the west side of Cincinnati, they employ 6 people and regularly utilize 50 volunteers.

While not in the business of offering medical advice, the mission of their non-profit is to provide for the acute emotional, physical, and spiritual needs of families experiencing pregnancy loss at any stage of gestation. Services are free-of-charge.

“Our ministry was inspired when Jim and I were desperate for help with our own pregnancy loss. Today, the ministry we started regularly receives families into our office who have just been given a devastating perinatal diagnosis. They are typically shocked and fearful,” Donna explains. “After effectively sharing wisdom and resources, our ministry sends these parents forward, ready to meet their baby and to treasure the time they will have with their child.”
Research shows that support services and the opportunity for the bereaved to tell his or her story are key to healing after the loss of a baby. It is also widely understood that parents who have prepared for the delivery of their deceased baby or one with poor prenatal diagnosis will realize a more memorable and graceful experience with decreased trauma. This cannot be overstated.

“Once we ‘embraced the joy’ everything changed,” reports one HGM client. “We were no longer afraid or timid. We gave it our all…our time with our sweet boy was immensely satisfying and can never, ever be replaced. Our experience was all because we were empowered to be his parents and make every moment count of the 48 hours we had.”

To meet the wide range of needs, HGM employs highly trained client advocates who execute an array of mental and emotional support services for free.
Peer Support Coordinators regularly lead in-person and online support groups, as well as individual support or couples peer support. HGM Certified Baby Loss Doulas, Certified Advocates for Parents of Perinatal Loss, and Certified Baby Loss Family Advisors are all uniquely qualified to guide families before, during, or after the birth of their “sleeping” baby.

Parents who lose a baby at any point in pregnancy have the right to decide the disposition of their child’s remains. As part of the ministry, HGM also provides quality baby caskets and infant urns that affirm the dignity and respect of the baby. Memorial gifts and books addressing baby loss for parents, grandparents, and children are also available for purchase. Products can be accessed locally or through the HGM web site where there also exists a wealth of information for navigating perinatal loss.

Jim, Donna, and their staff maintain a commitment not only to the acute care of these special families but also to remaining apprised on the latest research in the prevention of miscarriage and stillbirth.

In addition, Jim and Donna propagate their knowledge with enthusiasm. Both travel locally and across the country manning their booth at various industry shows. Donna is often a guest speaker, instructing healthcare professionals, religious leaders, and those in the funeral industry.

She has also originated a sought-after training program called Advocates for Parents of Perinatal Loss (APPL). This comprehensive course instructs staff at hospitals and physicians’ offices on how to best serve parents experiencing pregnancy loss: before, during, and after the delivery of a baby.

Powering forward, Jim and Donna Murphy will continue to offer complimentary services to clients, working tirelessly to expand HGM’s reach in Cincinnati and across the country.

The ministry’s deliberate attention to the dignity of the human person is effectively promoting a culture of life. Even a staunch pro-choice defender cannot argue against a show of respect for lost human life.

Honoring life and despondent families left to navigate unthinkable loss, the work of HGM promotes healthy closure resulting in more emotionally stable and robust families.

“Share the Love” Dinner/Dance Fundraiser 2025

Consider supporting the Heaven’s Gain annual fundraiser by celebrating with your Valentine at the elegant “Share the Love” Dinner/Dance. This date night includes dinner, dancing, open bar, and fun life-loving adults. Proceeds sustain the mission of this local Catholic pro-life organization that works to preserve the dignity of the human baby by serving families experiencing pregnancy loss.

The event will be held Saturday, February 15, 2025. Doors open at 5:30 pm; dinner is served at 6:30 pm. Dancing continues through 11 pm. The Dinner/Dance will be hosted at Receptions Event Center located at 1379 Donaldson Hwy, Erlanger, KY 41018.

Tickets are $50 per person, table sponsorship available. Clergy attendance complimentary. For more information about this valuable ministry or to purchase tickets, please visit www.heavensgain.org. Contact at 513-607-6083 with questions.

Heaven’s Gain Ministries is located at 6962 Harrison Ave, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45247 or online at www.heavensgain.org. Staff is available to answer questions by phone at 513-888-4200. Donations are much-needed and can be made through the web site.