When Millie Smith and Lewis Cann discovered they were expecting twins, their hearts swelled with joy and anticipation. Twins ran in the family, and Millie had a hunch that she was carrying two precious babies.

Her instincts proved to be right, but the ultrasound also uncovered devastating news – one of the babies had anencephaly, a terminal disorder affecting the development of the nervous system.

Despite the heart-wrenching prognosis, Millie and Lewis made a firm decision – to cherish every single moment with their little ones. They named their angel daughter Skye, symbolizing a place where she would forever reside in their hearts. Skye’s time on earth was fleeting, lasting only three hours, but during that precious time, her parents showered her with immeasurable love, marveling at her beauty and treasuring her presence in their lives.

After Skye’s passing, Millie felt an overwhelming sense of isolation, as if her baby had been erased from the world. Gradually, the memories of Skye faded from conversations, leaving Millie feeling invisible in her grief. The lack of acknowledgment was painful and added to her already broken heart. Millie yearned for a way to honor Skye publicly and to ensure that no other family would endure this crushing silence.

With her heartfelt desire in mind, Millie created a simple yet powerful solution – a sticker for incubators adorned with a purple butterfly, symbolizing the loss of one or more babies in a set of multiples. The butterfly, representing the babies that flew away, holds deep meaning. And the color purple was carefully chosen to encompass both boys and girls. This beautiful initiative soon evolved into The Skye High Foundation, a platform dedicated to raising awareness and providing support for families who have experienced similar losses.

Thanks to Millie’s foundation, the purple butterfly initiative has spread to hospitals around the world, carrying its compassionate message far and wide. The foundation offers various purple butterfly merchandise, including meaningful gifts and accessories. Millie aims to not only provide support for grieving parents but also establish a network of support groups, helping to ease the unimaginable pain of losing a child.

“While I cannot prevent this tragedy from happening, creating a support system and implementing initiatives like the butterfly stickers can make a significant difference. Losing a child is one of the most heartbreaking experiences anyone can endure,” Millie passionately shares.

Today, Millie’s other daughter, Callie, is a vibrant seven-year-old, a living testament to a mother’s boundless love and unwavering strength. Skye may no longer be physically present, but her memory lives on through the purple butterfly initiative, ensuring that other families find solace and understanding during their darkest hours. The power of the purple butterfly is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the capacity for love to transcend the pain of loss.