Shari Morash is a founder, author, educator, advocate and pioneer in perinatal palliative care. She’s a mom to three children – two on earth and one who soars. Her newborn son, Josiah, died the day he was born – July 28th, 2009. Josiah’s too-brief and meaningful life changed her world.

Shari is the founder of a charitable organization, Josiah’s Journey, created in memory of her son, Josiah. This organization provides hope, compassionate support, and valuable resources to individuals and families facing a serious prenatal diagnosis, pregnancy loss, or loss of a child. Josiah’s Journey supports the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), Toronto, and Children’s Hospital, London, Ontario, raising more than $180,000 to date, supporting the acquisition of critical care medical equipment, research, and education in perinatal and paediatric palliative care.

Shari’s book, Loving Your Baby…, now in its third edition, is designed to help parents and professionals navigate the moments surrounding a baby’s serious medical diagnosis. This gentle book validates the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of parents and their baby when loss tragically comes at the beginning of life. It offers valuable resources and supports for parents, families, and medical professionals who may experience a serious prenatal diagnosis, miscarriage, stillbirth, or an infant’s death.

Shari is a proud developer of the inaugural Paediatric Palliative webspace, www.CaringTogether.life, created with Canadian Virtual Hospice.

Shari is an accomplished public speaker providing keynote presentations at medical conferences and charity fundraisers in perinatal and paediatric palliative care and bereavement.

Shari’s presentations have included:

• Perinatal Hospice
• Perinatal Palliative Care and Bereavement
• Capturing a Brief Life Using Remembrance Photography
• Giving Voice to Dying Children
• Supporting Bereaved Families
• Helping Families Heal During the Holiday Season.

Shari lends her warmth and expertise as a Parent Advisor to the Paediatric Advanced Care Team (PACT) at SickKids Hospital – a team of palliative care professionals working with existing health care providers to meet the needs of families. Shari is a member of the Bereavement Ontario Network (BON) and a committee member of the international Pregnancy Loss and Infant Death Alliance (PLIDA).

Shari received her BIS degree from the University of Waterloo, focused on perinatal and paediatric palliative care and grief after a traumatic loss.

Together with her husband and two daughters, Shari lives in Guelph, Ontario, Canada.

For more, visit josiahsjourney.ca.