Join First Candle/SIDS Alliance as They "Light" the Way to a Future Where All Babies Survive and Thrive
On this day, in communities across America, expectant moms will feel their baby’s first kick; parents will listen joyfully to their newborn’s first cry; and families will celebrate the birthday of a healthy baby. - Also on this day, seven babies will be lost to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS); more than 70 new parents will have listened sadly to their stillborn baby’s silence; and countless lives will be lost to miscarriage and other sudden, unexpected infant deaths. First Candle/SIDS Alliance is working to provide every baby with the best possible change to survive and thrive.
(PRWEB) October 9, 2004 -- October is SIDS/Pregnancy and Infant Loss
Awareness Month, and First Candle/SIDS Alliance (the nation’s leading
organization dedicated to infant health and survival) is joining forces with
individuals, local and national member organizations, as well as corporate and
retail partners to increase awareness about these tragic causes of infant death.
Individuals can show their support by lighting a candle at 7:00 pm on Friday,
October 15 to celebrate the lives of the thousands of babies that have died this
past year. Contributions are also being solicited to support the organization’s
bereavement programs and services.
“It is our goal at First Candle to
make it possible for every baby to celebrate not only their first birthday, but
many happy birthdays beyond,” says Dr. Marian Sokol, president of First Candle.
“By expanding our mission to include stillbirth and other causes of infant
death, we will be taking the knowledge that we have gained in reducing SIDS
rates nationwide by nearly 60 percent and using it to save even more precious
lives.”
Despite this tremendous success, SIDS remains the leading cause
of death for infants one month to one year of age. According to recent
statistics, the majority of SIDS and accidental suffocation deaths are occurring
in unsafe sleep conditions. First Candle reminds parents and caregivers of the
importance of providing a safe sleep area for their baby. “With education alone,
we know we can save many more lives,” says Sokol. To learn more about safe sleep
and other ways to help your baby survive and thrive, visit the First Candle
website at www.firstcandle.org.
In addition to promoting infant health
and survival, the organization supports medical research into causes and/or
cures for SIDS, Stillbirth and other infant deaths. Until recently, stillbirth
research was almost nonexistent. Thanks to funding at the National Institutes of
Health and organizations like First Candle and the International Stillbirth
Alliance (ISA) there is now an international movement to try and understand and
prevent stillbirth deaths. “It is with research that we stand to gain the most
in our search to find the answers families so desperately need,” says Laura
Reno, Director of Public Affairs for First Candle. “Until we find the answers,
we must keep the flame burning.”
First Candle/SIDS Alliance is a
national, nonprofit, health organization dedicated to promoting infant health
and survival during the prenatal period through age two with programs of
advocacy, education and research; while at the same time providing compassionate
grief support to those experiencing an infant death. For more information on
helping babies survive and thrive, to access local support services or to make a
donation, please call 1.800.221.7437 or visit www.firstcandle.org
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Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2004/10/prweb165972.htm