Roberto Clemente Jr. to share unprecedented personal story of grief at Highmark's 2025 Virtual Children's Grief Awareness Day
PITTSBURGH (Oct. 20, 2025) — Highmark Health, through its Highmark Caring Place, is honored to announce that Roberto Clemente Jr., son of baseball legend Roberto Clemente, will serve as the keynote speaker for the Caring Place's 2025 Virtual Children's Grief Awareness Day observation.
Streaming live on November 20, 2025, at youtube.com/highmarkcaringplace, this event will feature Clemente Jr. speaking on video about the profound grief that followed his father's tragic death, a loss that continues to resonate with him today. It will also feature a well-known dancer, author and other pro athletes.
At just seven years old, Roberto Clemente Jr. experienced the sudden loss of his father, pro baseball legend, Roberto Clemente, a pivotal moment he describes as changing his life forever. Clemente Jr. will candidly discuss the enduring impact of this loss.
"Grief never fully leaves us,” Clemente said, "but we don't have to carry it alone. No child should ever have to grieve in silence."
His powerful testimony aims to offer a beacon of hope and solidarity to grieving children worldwide.
"We are incredibly honored that Roberto Clemente Jr. has chosen Children's Grief Awareness Day as the platform to share such a deeply personal and powerful story,” said Terese LaVallee, Vice President and Executive Director of the Highmark Caring Place. “His willingness to open up about his own journey with grief, particularly regarding his iconic father, will resonate with countless children and families who are navigating their own losses. His message of resilience and advocacy embodies the spirit of our mission at the Highmark Caring Place."
This year's Children's Grief Awareness Day is centered around the theme of "Champions of Hope," celebrating the resilience of grieving children and the dedication of those who support them. Roberto Clemente Jr. recently visited his father's statue in front of PNC Park in Pittsburgh to champion the cause by holding a custom "Champions of Hope" World Championship Belt, proudly gifted by All Elite Wrestling (AEW) to the Highmark Caring Place and Children's Grief Awareness Day. He noted, "Courage isn't just found in the ring. It lives in the hearts of children who choose to keep going after loss. Their resilience is heroic. Their spirit is like a champion. And I will continue to stand with them!"
This powerful theme was brought to life in September with the incredible support of AEW Wrestling, who not only presented the custom “Champions of Hope” World Championship Belt but also welcomed children from the Highmark Caring Place to be the first to see it in person. This memorable experience also included a special meet-and-greet with top AEW stars like AEW World Champion "Hangman" Adam Page, Powerhouse Hobbs, Jeff Jarrett, and Satnam Singh, underscoring AEW's continued commitment to championing hope for kids and families who are grieving.
The 2025 Virtual Children's Grief Awareness Day is a comprehensive program designed to support grieving children and educate communities, featuring a diverse lineup of impactful voices and organizations:
- Keynote Speaker: Roberto Clemente Jr. (Baseball Champion and Advocate)
- Gianna Martello (Renowned Dancer, Teacher, and Choreographer)
- Isaac Mattson (Pittsburgh Pirates Pitcher)
- Maryah Greene (Author of the powerful children’s book, Good Things)
- Rodney Gallagher (Wide Receiver for West Virginia University Mountaineers)
The day's extensive programming will also highlight crucial partnerships and initiatives:
- Contributions from the National Alliance for Children's Grief (NACG), Lionheart Camp For Kids out of Western Australia, and Good Grief, Grief Support Center for Children & Families out of New Jersey.
- A special Grief Talks podcast tailored for professionals, presented by the Highmark Caring Place.
- A powerful "Who is your Champion?" feature highlighting a DJ, a resilient Highmark Caring Place child and her personal story of loss and support.
Adding a unique and engaging element to awareness efforts, Ontario Hockey League (OHL) teams, the Erie (Pennsylvania) Otters and Barrie (Ontario) Colts, will be competing to win the first-ever Children's Grief Awareness Series. Presented by the Highmark Caring Place and the Seasons Centre for Grieving Children in Barrie, ON, this series includes a playful Mayor vs. Mayor: Jersey Bet! Erie Mayor Joe Schember and Barrie Mayor Alex Nuttall are putting their civic pride on the line: the mayor of the losing team will wear the winning city's jersey for an entire workday, all to raise awareness. Series games are scheduled for November 1st in Barrie and November 21st in Erie.
In addition to virtual events, the Highmark Caring Place will host in-person Children's Grief Awareness Day open houses at its facilities in Camp Hill, Erie, Pittsburgh, and Warrendale, Pennsylvania. These open houses provide local communities with opportunities to connect, learn, and find support.
About the Highmark Caring Place
The Highmark Caring Place provides services to kids and their families when they are experiencing the loss of a loved one. It is a safe environment in which participants are with peers who are also grieving and where they are able to express their feelings related to the death and to share memories of the person who died.
The mission of the Highmark Caring Place is to raise awareness of the needs of grieving children, provide programs to address those needs, and empower the community to support children who have experienced the death of a loved one. Since its inception more than 25 years ago, the Caring Place has served more than 100,000 family and community members. Financial support from Highmark Inc. allows the Caring Place, with facilities in Pittsburgh, Erie, Camp Hill and Warrendale, Pennsylvania to offer its programs at no cost to the families and the community. Please visit www.highmarkcaringplace.com.
About Children's Grief Awareness Day
Created in 2008 by the Highmark Caring Place, and recognized by organizations around the world, Children's Grief Awareness Day is observed every year on the third Thursday in November (Nov 20 in 2025). This time of year is a particularly appropriate time to support grieving children because the holiday season is often an especially difficult time after a death.
Children’s Grief Awareness Day seeks to bring attention to the fact that often support can make all the difference in the life of a grieving child. It provides an opportunity for all to raise awareness of the painful impact that the death of a loved one has in the life of a child, an opportunity to make sure that these children receive the support they need.
For more information on Children's Grief Awareness Day and how to get involved, please visit childgriefday.com.
Contact:
Monica Lewis
Highmark Health
814-323-4767
