Dear Families and Friends,

First Candle is once again partnering with the CJ Foundation for SIDS to gain support for HR3212 and S1445 – we hope we can count on you!

On August 24th, Laura Crandall, the program director of the CJ Foundation’s SUDC (Sudden Unexpected Death in Childhood) Program and the Foundation’s founders, Joel and Susan Hollander will be making another trip to Washington, DC to advocate for the United States’ Stillbirth and SUID Prevention Education and Awareness Act (S1445/HR3212).

As you recall, the bill would standardize investigations of stillbirth and sudden unexpected infant/childhood deaths up to age 4, create a national registry for these tragedies, track risk factors, fund public health messages and provide grief support services for families affected. We know all too well how each of these pieces is vital to progress.

We are focused this month on getting the support of the following Senators who all sit on the U.S. Senate Heath committee. These Senators will play a key role in helping to determine if the bill moves out of committee onto the next step to becoming law. We would greatly appreciate it if you could take a few minutes to review the list below.

If you live in one of their states, PLEASE fill out our quick and easy Online Advocacy Form now. It will generate an immediate email to them requesting they co-sponsor S1445. Emails from their constituents prior to our meeting with them would greatly help pave the way for success.

Lisa Murkowski (AK)                                          Judd Gregg (NH)
John McCain (AZ)                                              Tom Coburn, M.D. (OK)
Johnny Isakson (GA)                                          Lamar Alexander (TN)
Pat Roberts (KS)                                                Orrin G. Hatch (UT)
Richard Burr (NC)                                               Michael B. Enzi (WY)

Note: If you live in one of these states and are a SIDS parent who experienced issues with the Medical Examiner, Coroner, first responders or hospital and/or have been unable to find support services in your area please contact linda@cjsids.org with your story. We would like to provide concrete examples to these Senators.

In addition, please spread the link to our Online Advocacy Form far and wide to anyone you know in these states, as well as posting on your social networking sites. If you have any questions please feel free to email me, linda@cjsids.org

Thank you in advance!

Linda Tantawi, Executive Director, CJ Foundation for SIDS