Jace’s Journey is gearing up to host the 7th Annual 5K Run/Walk and Fun Run in recognition of Stillborn Awareness. The event will take place Saturday, October 25, 2025 at Belle Johnston Community Center located at 1000 Johnston Dr in Pineville, NC. The 5K Walk/Run begins at nine thirty in the morning with the Fun Run to follow.
Seven years ago, in May 2018, Tomeka James Isaac delivered a baby boy, Jace Alexander. He had no heartbeat and Tomeka was diagnosed with HELLP Syndrome, a very serious complication that arises during pregnancy, resulting in infection of the blood and liver. As she and her husband later found out, the condition can be treated with proper diagnosis and prevent sickness or death.
Statistics. In the United States, nearly 21,000 babies are stillborn every year. One out of every 175 deliveries ends in stillbirth. Births in North Carolina average over 700 stillborn births a year.
Demographics. Black and Native American families experience stillbirth at rates twice the rate for other families. Additionally, the stillbirth rate for women in their 40s is 2-3 times the rate for women in their 20s and 30s. Tomeka can check the mark for each of the demographic points, but all preventative steps were not taken during her pregnancy.
Prevention. In the United States, it is estimated that 25% of all stillbirths are preventable; with an astonishing 47% of stillbirths at 37 or more weeks being preventable. One of the key factors in diagnosing HELLP Syndrome is a urine test. Tomeka says she recalls not having one. She says, “I was told that I was at high risk for Preeclampsia and protein in your urine is a symptom but they never tested my urine.”,
Turning her pain into purpose, Tomeka and her husband, Brandon, founded Jace’s Journey in honor of their baby boy. They are dedicated to helping individuals and families become more aware of the importance of maternal and fetal health. The Isaacs’ experience with the misdiagnosis drives their passion to ensure that every birthing person receives equitable care and support.
In its seventh year, Jace’s Journey founders Tomeka and Brandon Isaac have continued to see the impact of their vision. Over the years, in addition to the annual 5K, the organization has also co-hosted Bereaved Mother’s Day Teas and community baby showers, distributed over 40 Jace’s Embrace Boxes to families impacted by infant loss, actively participated in Legislative and advocacy work to raise awareness about stillbirth prevention and maternal health disparities and hosted educational workshops that elevate the awareness of pregnancy loss as a community health issue.
The 2024 event raised over eight thousand dollars and donations continue throughout the year, including a grant award from the CareSource Foundation. Funds raised helped to facilitate ACTT workshops – which help birthing parents and families learn how to advocate for themselves within the healthcare system, community engagement events, provider training, support resources and Jace’s Embrace Boxes. The boxes are distributed via hospitals and clinics to provide comfort and support resources to families impacted by pregnancy loss.
With the support of community and sponsors like The Shades of Blue Project, this year’s goal is to raise ten thousand dollars which will aid in the continuance of existing programs and allow for expansion. The funds raised will help to grow peer support programming, family remembrance activities, and mental health partnerships. Isaac says “Stillbirth remains a largely unspoken public health crisis, with devastating emotional impacts on families and significant racial disparities in outcomes. Through this year’s walk, we aim to break the silence, elevate awareness, and call for meaningful action to prevent preventable stillbirths and support families impacted by loss.”
The Isaacs’ experience with the misdiagnosis drives their passion to ensure that every birthing person receives equitable care. Tomeka shares “ … we’ve been able to bring much-needed awareness to our community. By fostering open dialogue around stillbirth, hosting educational workshops, and partnering with healthcare advocates, we’ve made strides in ensuring that maternal health equity remains a priority.” She also states how their work and collaborations with organizations like March of Dimes, Healthy Birth Day , and local health leaders amplifies the importance of community engagement and proactive support in addressing healthcare disparities.
Registration and sponsorship opportunities are available at www.jacesjourney.org.
For press and media inquiries, contact Tomeka James Isaac info@jacesjourney.org.
