First Candle joins organizations of similar missions, recognizing that vulnerable mothers and babies will benefit from a united voice to prioritize maternal, newborn and infant survival.

We continue to advocate for Congressional passage of the Stillbirth and Sudden Unexpected Infant Death Prevention Education and Awareness Act.

We maintain active involvement with the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Our engagement with these agencies allows First Candle to promote funding for maternal and child health efforts such as the National Children’s Study, expansion of stillbirth surveillance and uniform protocols for death scene investigations of infants.

In addition, we work cooperatively with other organizations to ensure that our voice is heard regarding strategies such as kick counting, now recognized as the first proactive strategy that may help reduce the risk of late-term stillbirth.