Our Impact

This year, we have continued to walk alongside grieving parents and their families, ensuring they have access to comfort and guidance when it matters most. Our expanded Grief Guides, consistent monthly newsletter, and thoughtful care packages have allowed us to reach families with meaningful support exactly when they need it.

From July 2024 to June 2025, we saw an average of more than 2,800 visitors to our site each month, which is a 40% year over year increase. We have been both humbled and honored by the continued—and growing—need for our grief resources. The number of guides requested and downloaded from our website has increased significantly, demonstrating that we are reaching bereaved parents and families when and where they need support most.

Over the past fiscal year, we provided more than 600 copies each of our Step-by-Step Grief Guide and Sibling Grief Guide. Requests for our Step-by-Step Grief Guide rose by 85%, nearly doubling over the previous year. Even more striking, requests for our Sibling Grief Guide increased by 250%—more than three and a half times last year’s number. This growth underscores the critical need for resources designed specifically for grieving siblings, an often-overlooked group in the bereavement journey.

The trend extends beyond guides. We saw a 35% increase in pamphlets distributed and a 100% increase in resource cards shared. These materials are accessed both online and through our expanding network of partner organizations, which now includes multiple funeral homes, hospitals, and other nonprofits.

While it is heartbreaking to see the rising demand for these resources, we are deeply grateful to be able to place them into the hands of families across the world—offering understanding, guidance, and hope at a time when they need it most.

Our board members have been instrumental in raising awareness of Just Enduring and its mission over the past year, engaging in a variety of speaking opportunities to share our story and purpose.

Co-Founder and Vice President, Martha McGeehon, was invited to speak on several podcasts, including Moms Like Me and The Empty Chair Endeavor. In these heartfelt conversations, Martha shared her personal journey through grief and how it ultimately led to the founding of Just Enduring—a nonprofit dedicated to walking alongside parents through their darkest days.

In December, Martha was also interviewed by 550 KTRS, a St. Louis radio station, where she discussed navigating the holidays as a grieving parent, the mission of Just Enduring, and meaningful ways others can support those who are mourning during the holiday season.

Ben Gillham, Co-Founder and President of Just Enduring, was featured on KMOX, another prominent St. Louis radio station, in October 2024 for Child Loss Awareness Month. Ben spoke about the deep need for support among grieving parents and shared how friends, family, and the community can help—highlighting the resources Just Enduring offers to those affected by child loss.

These interviews can be found within the Press Page on our website under the “Connect” tab.

Additionally, Just Enduring was invited to present to the Southern Illinois Mental Health First Responders Network in April of 2024. This group consists of mental health professionals within school districts and the community who are responsible for family-centered care and connecting families with relevant resources.

Our second annual Music Bingo Fundraiser, held in March 2025, was a sold-out success! With a bigger venue and even bigger ambitions this year, we welcomed more than 400 people for a night of fun, community, and awareness—all while raising crucial funds for Just Enduring.

Thanks to our incredible attendees, volunteers, donors, and sponsors, we received more than 50 donations for our Fund-A-Need program, sold out our newly added wine pull before the event even began, raised funds from 90 silent auction items, and awarded our 50/50 winner more than $1,000.

This year’s event raised more than $38,000—over 30% more than last year—showing the incredible momentum and community commitment behind our mission.

In November 2024, Just Enduring was honored to participate in the Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration at the Missouri History Museum. This is a beautiful weekend put on in celebration and honor of loved ones who have passed away.

Through our information table, we connected with countless community members and shared our mission of walking alongside families after child loss.

We also had the privilege of creating a special altar adorned with photos of children gone too soon. Families were invited to place butterflies carrying heartfelt messages to their children, and we received nearly 130, each signifying a child lost too soon. The response was deeply moving and affirmed the importance of creating spaces for remembrance and connection.

In September 2024, Just Enduring was honored to be a partner organization at the Pedal the Cause event in St. Charles, MO. Pedal the Cause is a nonprofit dedicated to raising funds for cancer research and treatment. Our missions naturally overlap, as many in their community have experienced the loss of a loved one to cancer, including children.

Despite a rainy weekend, we were able to share our resources, raise awareness about our mission, receive donations, and connect with many community members who were eager to learn about our work. The experience reinforced the value of being present in the community and building meaningful connections that extend our impact.