When Millie Smith and Lewis Cann found out they were going to be parents, their happiness knew no bounds. With a history of twins in their family, Millie had a feeling that she was carrying two babies. And her intuition was right! The ultrasound confirmed that they were indeed expecting twins, but there was a heartbreaking discovery – one of the babies had a slim chance of survival due to a condition called anencephaly. This disorder affects the development of the fetal nervous system, specifically the brain and spinal cord.
Despite the devastating news, Millie and Lewis wanted to cherish the short time they would have with their daughter. They decided to give her a name. They chose the name Skye, symbolizing a place where they knew she would always be, a place they could look up to the sky and remember their baby girl.
Tragically, Skye only lived for three hours. But during that time, her parents showered her with love and admired her beauty. The quiet moments they shared with Skye are memories they will cherish forever.
After Skye passed away, Millie and Lewis were provided with the support of a “bereavement midwife” and a special space called the Daisy Room. These resources helped them cope with their overwhelming loss. But as time went on, Millie noticed that no one talked about Skye anymore. It was as if their precious daughter had never even existed, and that deeply hurt Millie.
The grieving mother recalled how even after four weeks, people acted as if nothing had happened, leaving those around her completely unaware of their heartbreaking situation. One instance that particularly stung was when another mother, unaware of Millie’s loss, remarked how lucky Millie was for not having twins. Millie was devastated and couldn’t bring herself to explain what had happened. She realized that a simple sticker on the incubator could have prevented such painful encounters.
This inspired Millie to create the Purple Butterfly Initiative. The concept is simple yet powerful: a sticker in the shape of a butterfly is placed on incubators to indicate the loss of one or more babies in a set of multiples. Millie chose the color purple because it is suitable for both boys and girls and represents the babies that “flew away.”
What started as a personal initiative has now grown into The Skye High Foundation, a global movement that supports the Purple Butterfly Initiative in hospitals around the world. Through this foundation, Millie aims to create more support groups and implement practical solutions, such as the stickers, to help families facing similar heartbreak.
The Skye High Foundation offers a range of purple butterfly merchandise, including gifts and accessories, to raise awareness and funds for their cause. Millie understands that she cannot prevent these tragic situations from occurring, but she believes that by providing support and spreading awareness, she can make a difference in the lives of grieving families.
Today, Millie’s other daughter, Callie, is seven years old. Millie’s experience has shaped her into a compassionate advocate, ensuring that every life, no matter how brief, is remembered and honored. The Purple Butterfly Initiative serves as a reminder that every baby is precious and deserves to be acknowledged. Millie’s strength and determination continue to inspire and provide comfort to others who have experienced similar loss.
