About Us

A Dream for Empathy

When we were in the hospital facing this unbearable pain and impossible decisions, we so desperately want to talk with someone who had been through this unimaginable circumstance we were facing. But everywhere we asked, we were told, there was no one. We had many wonderful doctors, nurses and social workers who provided us sympathy, but none had been through what we were facing. What we needed, what we so desperately yearned for was empathy.


Why Hummingbirds?
Hummingbirds symbolize love, joy and beauty, and are the only creatures to possess the unique ability to fly backward. For grieving parents, this reminds us that we can look back at our babies who have gone before us. We will always remember and grieve them, but we can move forward seeing love, joy and beauty through the grief by honoring our children and cherishing their lives. At our core, Heaven’s Hummingbirds is simply about empathy, because we know when bereaved parents come together, healing happens.
 
Our Vision
To provide empathy for parents facing the loss of a baby.
 
Values

• We listen, we empathize, we serve.
• We partner with hospitals, nurses and social workers to educate.
• We connect bereaved parents with the resources they need.
• We pause, we reflect, we remember.
• We bring light in the darkness through sharing stories.

 
Mission
To provide comfort, healing and guidance to bereaved families in the East Valley communities in Arizona as they navigate their grief journey by  bridging the gap from hospital to home.

The Dignity Health Foundation East Valley is the 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that supports the Heaven's Hummingbirds programs. The foundation began supporting Chandler Regional Medical Center in 1985 so that individuals could participate in the hospital’s mission of improving the health of the community. With the addition of Mercy Gilbert Medical Center, the foundation changed its name from Chandler Regional Hospital Foundation to Dignity Health Foundation East Valley to better represent its expanded responsibility to serve both facilities and the communities of the Southeast Valley. The foundation was established to provide financial support for capital projects, equipment, new medical technologies, improved patient services and medical education, enhanced research, as well as programs and services for children, women, and senior citizens, and the care of uninsured or under-insured families at our community.

Tax ID #74-2418514