Meet Karen Hacker, Gloves for Grief Board Member

Karen Badal Hacker is a native Californian, wife, and mother of four—two babies in heaven and two adult married children here on earth.

Karen’s first experience of intense loss began with her son, Matthew, passing due to heart disease at just three days old and a subsequent miscarriage a year later. These profound losses ignited her desire and dedication to helping others navigate similar pain through Empty Arms, a support group for parents facing the anguish of miscarriage, stillbirth, and infant loss. Karen’s leadership alongside her husband, Rick, through Empty Arms spans nearly three decades.

Not only did she endure the loss of her first two children, but within six years, Karen lost seven immediate family members—her sister, brother, mother, father, mother-in-law, father-in-law, and sister-in-law. Despite these losses, Karen’s compassion, empathy, and unyielding faith have been the driving force that has carried her through.

Karen is a successful business owner as an art licensing agent, author, and co-founder of 8:28 Hope in the Darkness, a non-profit committed to supporting, educating, and caring for the grief and loss community. Gloves for Grief is near and dear to her heart since it stemmed from relationships made through one of the Empty Arms sessions. As a board member, Karen brings compassion, experience, and expertise to the Gloves for Grief team, furthering support and healing of body, mind, and soul to those struggling with grief and loss.