Families Gather at Baker Beach to Honor Lost Babies
The annual Wave of Light event provides a space for parents to process grief after miscarriage or stillbirth.
Updated on Oct. 24, 2026 in Pregnancy
Families gathered at Baker Beach on October 24 to illuminate the sand and honor children lost to stillbirth or miscarriage. The annual Wave of Light event provides a communal space for parents to process grief.
Why it matters
Pregnancy loss remains a common but often isolating experience for families across the city. This gathering offers a public opportunity for remembrance and connection for those navigating the aftermath of miscarriage or stillbirth.
National health data indicates that at least 1 in 10 known pregnancies end in miscarriage and 21,000 infants are stillborn each year, a rate equivalent to 1 in 175 births. The total number of families in the Bay Area affected by these losses remains undocumented.
The players
La'Zette Smith
The founder of the LaSaaun Lives Foundation who organizes the annual memorial event.
LaSaaun Lives Foundation
A local organization that provides resources and support for families who have experienced stillbirth or miscarriage.
The details
Participants met at the shoreline to light candles in the sand, creating a collective memorial for children lost to pregnancy or infant death. The event was founded by La'Zette Smith, who established the LaSaaun Lives Foundation after her son, LaSaaun Smith, was stillborn in 2020. The foundation holds the space for families to share their experiences and support one another in an open setting at the beach.
Timeline
LaSaaun Smith was stillborn in 2020.
The Wave of Light event took place on October 24, 2026.
Across the Bay
This event aligns with the national focus on Pregnancy Loss Awareness Month, turning clinical data into a public communal act. It follows a growing pattern of local foundations creating physical spaces to break the silence surrounding stillbirth and miscarriage.
Families affected by pregnancy loss can find ongoing support through the LaSaaun Lives Foundation. The event returns to Baker Beach each October, offering a recurring space for city residents to connect with others sharing similar experiences.
The takeaway
The Wave of Light highlights the importance of communal grieving for one of the most common but under-discussed health events in the city. Residents can track future memorial dates and support services through the foundation to stay connected with this local network.
Further reading
For more on local support networks and family health, see our coverage of Pregnancy.
More information
For additional support and educational materials, visit the LaSaaun Lives Foundation resources.
Source note: This article includes information reported by CBS News.
