The Compassionate Friends 35th National Conference/5th International Gathering will be held July 20-22, 2012 in Costa Mesa California at the Hilton Orange County/Costa Mesa Hotel. The Compassionate Friends self-help bereavement organization for families that have suffered the death of a child will include a full track of workshops for bereaved siblings (as well as more than 100 workshops covering most areas of grief after the death of a child). There will also be activities specifically for siblings. Keynote speakers include prolific and award winning author Lois Duncan who wrote Who Killed My Daughter; Kathy Eldon, journalist, author, producer, activist, and mother who found her lfie changed forever when her 22-year-old son Dan, a Reuters photographer, was stoned to death by an angry mob as he did his job in Somalia in July 1993; and Darcie Sims, always popular international keynote speaker who brings her wit and wisdom as a bereaved parent and certified grief management specialist to the podium. A fourth keynote speaker will be announced prior to the conference. There will be a remembrance candle lighting, as well as TCF’s two mile Walk to Remember which starts at 8 a.m. Sunday morning from the hotel. Click here for more information. Early discounted registration ends June 15 and pre-registration June 29. There will be onsite registration.
