When Millie Smith and Lewis Cann discovered they were expecting twins, they were thrilled. But just weeks later, they faced heartbreaking news: only one of their baby girls, Callie and Skye, would survive. Skye was born with a fatal condition called anencephaly, which means she was missing parts of her brain and skull and could only live a few hours.
During their time in the NICU, Millie noticed how often people around her forgot about Skye’s existence. Once, a mother of healthy twins casually told Millie she was “lucky” not to have two babies, unaware of her loss. This innocent comment broke Millie’s heart and inspired her to create a symbol to honor babies like Skye—a purple butterfly.
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The purple butterfly sticker is now placed on bassinets in many hospitals to quietly tell staff and visitors that a baby lost a twin or multiple sibling. It serves as a reminder to treat families with extra care and respect. Millie named her foundation Skye High to carry on her daughter’s memory and help other families with similar losses. The purple butterfly has spread worldwide, appearing on cards, blankets, and other items to comfort grieving parents.
