The Voice Volume 1 Spring 2011 April 27th, 2011

Welcome to First Candle’s newsletter The Voice.

This edition features some of our latest research, support & engagement, advocacy and education efforts. It also contains information on upcoming events and how you can get involved.

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CPSC Approves New Mandatory Standard for Toddler Beds April 20th, 2011

The new federal standard for toddler beds will require the following:

• The upper edge of the guardrail must be at least five inches above the toddler bed’s mattress.
• Spindle/slat strength testing for toddler beds must be consistent with the testing required for crib spindles/slats.
• Separate warning labels to address entrapment and strangulation hazards must appear on toddler beds.

Read the CPSC Release for more details

First Candle Joins an International Stillbirth Research Initiative April 14th, 2011

Please click on the photo to view the full Executive Summary

First Candle is pleased to announce that a leading medical journal, The Lancet, is launching a series of research articles focused on stillbirth as an “invisible public health problem”. The articles call attention to the staggering statistics that indicate more than 2.6 million stillbirth deaths occurs annually across the globe. In the United States alone, stillbirth devastates more than 25,000 families each year. First Candle is joining an esteemed team of international organizations to call attention to this groundbreaking research effort as part of our commitment to bringing stillbirth to the forefront as a leading cause of infant death.

This international effort is dedicated to providing research to stillbirth solutions and interventions. First Candle, The International Stillbirth Alliance, Global Alliance for Prevention of Prematurity and Stillbirth (GAPPS), National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD), the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF and Save the Children have all partnered to disseminate information regarding the launch. In addition, there is a long list of researchers diligently working on the final global stillbirth statistics for the Series. The publication represents the efforts of 67 co-authors from 50 organizations in 18 countries. A remarkable series of press conferences around the world has been orchestrated for April 13^th and 14^th in London, South Africa, Geneva, Florence, New York, Seattle, Australia, Canada to name a few.

About The Series: The Lancet’s Stillbirth Series provides the most comprehensive assessment to date of global numbers and causes of stillbirths, perceptions and beliefs around the world, and the solutions to prevent stillbirths—well-known interventions as well as innovations. This Series also includes a global call for action, key findings, and recommendations. Visit their website http://www.TheLancet.com.

About The Lancet: The Lancet publishes a weekly journal and three monthly specialty journals in the fields of oncology, neurology, and infectious diseases. All Lancet specialty journals have existed as both print and online medical journals since first published.

Please join us in spreading the word about the Lancet Series. This is an important step in the right direction and strengthens our ability to advocate for increased awareness and funding for issues related to stillbirth in hopes of a future where all babies survive and thrive.

For more information please contact:

Marian Sokol
President
First Candle
marian@firstcandle.org
210-861-0222

Ashawnda Fleming
Director of Development & Marketing
First Candle
ashawnda@firstcandle.org
800-221-7437