2025 Peterborough Butterfly Run a successful and emotional day.

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On April 27th, the annual Peterborough Butterfly Run, presented by the Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation (GPHSF) in partnership with Partners In Pregnancy Clinic (PIPC), took place in Millennium Park. Since 2017 the event has supported families and individuals who have experienced a loss during pregnancy, the loss of a child, or are unable to conceive.

The Peterborough Butterfly Run has always been about showing support for each other. It became obvious early on that the support this year was going to be massive. A pre-event registration record was set of 1045 people signing up to take part in either the 1km Memorial Walk, 1km Kids Fun Run or the 5km run/walk. With event day registration and numerous family and friends in attendance to show their support, the 2025 Peterborough Butterfly Run saw well over 1300 packing Millennium Park. This is reflective of the caring community we have in the Peterborough area. 

Although donations are still coming in, as of noon on April 28th the 2025 Peterborough Butterfly Run raised over $84,400. The top three individual fundraisers are Cody Welton, Lori Brock and Elizabeth Villeneuve. The top three fundraising teams are Team Ben Moffatt, Angels’ by our side, and Friends of Frederick. Thank you to all of the fundraisers and donors for your hard work and support of the mission of the run.  

Ashley Weir and Kori Zwarych, the new co-chairs of the Peterborough Butterfly Run Executive Committee, announced at the event that a partnership with Hospice Peterborough and PAIL is being developed to create new support programming in our area. The Peterborough Butterfly Run, Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation (GPHSF) and Hospice Peterborough, in collaboration with the Pregnancy and Infant Loss Network (PAIL), will be offering a one-day nature-based retreat for adults who have experienced a perinatal loss. The retreat will take place October 18th at Tecasy Ranch and will offer an opportunity for healing and reflection tailored specifically to the unique needs of those who have experienced a perinatal loss. These types of retreats have been shown to be very meaningful to those who are grieving.  The hope is to make these retreats something that is regularly offered in the Peterborough area community. More information will be available soon. 

 Along with working on this new partnership with Hospice and PAIL, the funds generated from the run will continue to be used in the development of bereavement kits for families and individuals who experience early and later pregnancy loss and infant loss. Since 2018, over 800 bereavement kits have been created to be provided to families and individuals by health care providers. The money will also be used to provide ongoing specialized education in Perinatal Bereavement Care to healthcare providers and stock more than 10 lending libraries for individuals and their families located across Peterborough City and County.  And, as always, funds raised go back into making sure that the Peterborough Butterfly Run can continue year after year to build support and community around those who have experienced a loss during pregnancy, the loss of a child, or are unable to conceive.

 Thank you to all of the volunteers for their hard work making the event happen. Thank you as well to the 2025 Peterborough Butterfly Run sponsors, including; Pyle Wealth Advisory – CIBC Private Wealth, Runners Life, Highland Park Funeral Services, Renegade Apparel, Nexicom, Dominion Lending Centres, Culligan, Sysco, Apple Self Storage, Naked Chocolate, Mommy Connections Peterborough Kawartha Lakes, Summer Soul Yoga, Synergistix Partners in Health, Silverbean Cafe.

For more information please email Vince@GPHSF.ca

Funds raised at the event have been used to provide ongoing specialized education in Perinatal Bereavement Care to healthcare providers across Peterborough City and County, establish more than 10 lending libraries for individuals and their families located across Peterborough City and County, as well as the development of bereavement kits for families and individuals who experience early and later pregnancy loss and infant loss. Since 2018, more than 800 bereavement kits have been provided to families and individuals by health care providers with the Peterborough Family Health Team and PRHC.  

Our Bereavement kits are put together and distributed by a group of volunteers. They contain comfort items, memorabilia, and grief support. They are distributed by health care providers with the Peterborough Family Health Team, PRHC, local physicians and mental health clinicians. They may also be requested by email at ptbobutterflyrunkits@gmail.com 

For more details email  Vince@GPHSF.ca

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