keep going keep growing. - The CJ Foundation for SIDS

This past April, Parents Kassie Misiaszek and Zack LaZore decided to
have a benefit in memory of their son Dominic who passed away on
October 14, 2013 away from SIDS. They were aiming for a late June
event date.
To get the event underway stay at home mom, Kassie, took on many of
the responsibilities with advertising, posting flyers, and reaching out to
businesses with sponsorship letters. As she moved through the process
she found much hardship finding support from certain businesses, but
also a great amount of support with donations from family and friends.
Dominic’s dad, Zack LaZore, rounded up all the riders on Sunday, June
22nd at 69 Steakhouse in Clinton, N.Y., where the event took place. From
there they rode by St. Paul’s Church where Dominic’s funeral mass took
place through Whitesboro football field where Kassie and Zack anticipated
Dominic playing football, and wrapping up at the cemetery where Dominic
was laid to rest on October 19, 2013.
As the riders returned to 69 Steakhouse, there was an estimated 200
people who attended, over 60 raffle prizes, donated food from local
restaurants, and a volunteer DJ who also donated his time.
For Kassie and Zack’s first year holding “The Ride for Dominic” benefit
they raised an impressive $10,500! As first time hosts they have decided
to continue to hold the event every year in memory of their son, Dominic
J. LaZore. They welcomed a new baby boy named Blake Dominic on
October 21, 2014, middle named after his big brother. Congratulations
to them on their new son, and all of their efforts with such a successful
event!
CJ Foundation Making a Difference in Mississippi
Mississippi has one of the highest rates of SIDS and Sudden Unexpected
Infant Death (SUID) in the United States. Within the last year, the CJ
Foundation awarded program grants to non-profit organizations in that state
working toward reducing SIDS and educating about Infant Safe Sleep.
Chi Mu Omega, a chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, partnered with
Mound Bayou First Baptist Church to implement the North Delta SIDS
and Safe Sleep Initiative. Project encompasses safe-sleep education and
community baby showers.
Northeast Mississippi Birthing Project educated the African-American
community in three counties about SIDS, Infant Safe Sleep and healthy
lifestyles.
Pearl River Valley Opportunity, Inc. developed a SIDS Action Plan
targeting all five counties about SIDS Risk Reduction and Infant Safe-Sleep.
Mississippi SIDS and Infant Safety Alliance continued numerous
education programs throughout Mississippi. This included a continuation of
their Baby Basics program and crib distribution program.
For more detailed information regarding these grants in Mississippi please
contact [email protected]
A DIAGNOSIS OF “CONFUSION” IS IT SIDS or not?
SUID, SUD, SUDI, SDII Undetermined, Cause
Unknown... HELP!!!! My baby’s death certificate
indicates cause of death as undetermined. Is
this SIDS or isn’t it? Fewer and fewer medical
examiners and coroners are using SIDS (Sudden
Infant Death Syndrome) as a cause of death.
While the definition of SIDS is: “sudden death of
an infant under one year of age which remains
unexplained after a thorough case investigation,
including performance of a complete autopsy,
examination of the death scene and review of the
clinical history,” the word “syndrome” incorrectly
implies a diagnoses or illness, when it is in fact
a diagnosis of exclusion. There are no clinically
significant findings that indicate cause of death.
Five years ago, your baby’s cause of death
probably would have been ruled SIDS (instead of
SUID or undetermined). The fact that there is no
national standard of terminology for these types
of infant deaths AND that medical examiners/
coroners are increasingly reluctant to use SIDS
as a cause of death has led to parental and
bureaucratic confusion.
The CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics
lists ALL of the following as definitions of SIDS
for coding purposes: Sudden Death in Infancy
or SDII Sudden Infant Death or SID Sudden
Unexplained Death or SUD Sudden Unexplained
(unexpected) Death in Infancy or SUDI Sudden
Unexplained Infant Death or SUID Sudden plus
(Unexpected) or (Unexplained) Death plus (Cause
Unknown) or (in Infancy) or (Syndrome) Infant
Death plus (Syndrome) Consistent with SIDS
In addition, anecdotally we know infant death
certificates have also ruled: “Cause unknown
with the contributing factor of co-sleeping” and
“Undetermined but cannot rule out suffocation
from unsafe sleeping environment,” and other
variations on this theme. Parents should also be
aware that when no autopsy is performed—for
whatever reason: personal/ religious beliefs or
your area doesn’t have the staff/funding—or
there is not a thorough death scene investigation,
in all likelihood SIDS will not be ruled as the
cause of death. It is especially heart wrenching
to know that even when you did everything
right, your baby passes away. We know these
changes are difficult for parents who identify as
“SIDS” parents. To hear that the term SIDS as a
cause of death is slowly being replaced by other
terminology is upsetting. We also know that
parents whose baby’s death certificate says SUID
or Undetermined don’t necessarily identify as
SIDS parents.
There are hundreds of parents who do everything
right and their babies are still dying from SIDS.
This is why the CJ Foundation for SIDS advocates
everyday for the rights of parents and the rights
of each infant who does not have a voice.
The CJ Foundation is here to help all parents
who experience a sudden, unexpected death
of an infant. We are an authoritative source of
information on the latest in research findings
and a leader in advocacy efforts in Washington.
Whether you need a bereavement kit, help
finding support services or assistance requesting
an autopsy report or a second opinion on your
autopsy, WE are here for you. You are not alone!
Commitment to Funding Research
Hippocampal Pathology in SIDS: Genetic
and Neuroanatomic Connectivity Analyses
at Boston Children’s Hospital with Hannah C.
Kinney, MD, Principal Investigator
The objective of the study is to elucidate the role
of the hippocampus and its connections with the
brainstem in the sudden infant death syndrome
(SIDS) through pilot genetic and connectivity
analyses.
Social Media and Risk-reduction Training
for Infant Care Practices at Boston University
Medical Campus, with Eve R. Colson, MD,
Michael J. Corwin, MD, Fern Hauck, MD, MS,
Rachel Moon, MD, Principal Investigators
The purpose of this study is to address ongoing
challenges related to adherence to public health
recommendations known to reduce the risk of
SIDS.
continued from page 3
of babies dying in childcare.
Maternal Grief Responses in High Risk
Settings – A Pilot Study of Bereaved
Mothers in the Safe Passage Study Cohort
at Sanford Research with Amy Elliott, PhD, and
Richard G. Goldstein, MD, Principal Investigators
The main objective of this pilot study is to
establish a basis for the claim that parental
grief is a distinct bereavement-related reaction,
different in intensity and duration, but not
symptomatology, from other empirically studied
“griefs”.
Genetic Variants in Sudden Infant Death
Syndrome at the University of Virginia with Fern
R. Hauck, MD, MS, Principal Investigator
Association of Infant Mortality in Child
Care with Variability in State Child Care
Regulations at The Children’s Mercy Hospital,
with Rachel Y. Moon, MD and Jeffrey D. Colvin,
MD, JD, Principal Investigators
This study has obtained genetic material from
all liver specimens from infants in the Chicago
Infant Mortality Study (CIMS) who died from
SIDS. The study plans to examine 40 genes
in 192 CIMS SIDS cases. Twenty-seven of
these genes have been implicated in SIDS risk
previously, but their contribution to SIDS in CIMS
is unknown.
This study will examine whether differences
in state child care regulations for infant sleep
safety, which vary by state, affect the numbers
For more detailed information regarding these
research/scientific grants please contact
[email protected]
CJ FOUNDATION AWARDS 2013
SUPPORT SERVICE GRANTS
Each year the CJ Foundation awards support grants
to organizations throughout the United States that
educate about SIDS Risk Reduction and Infant Safe
Sleep. These grants can also provide grief support
for parents and others who have experienced the
sudden, unexpected death of an infant to SIDS or
Other Sleep-related Infant Death. In order to be
considered for funding, an organization must be
recognized as a not-for-profit. To apply for a CJ
grant these organizations submit an application that
demonstrates a problem, the impact of the problem
and how the problem will be addressed. The project
for which they are seeking funding must have
goals, objectives, and achievable outcomes. The
application also includes a thorough work plan and
an effective evaluation component.
Mississippi SIDS Alliance (Madison, MS) – Salary
Support of Program Director
In 2013, the CJ Foundation awarded program
service grants to the following:
Pennsylvania Chapter of the American
Academy of Pediatrics (Media, PA) – Educating
Physicians/Practices in their Communities on Infant
Safe Sleep
Chi Mu Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha
Sorority (Mound Bayou, MS) – North Delta Safe
Sleep Initiative
Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, Children’s
Health Alliance of Wisconsin (Milwaukee, WI) –
Promoting Hospital Safe Sleep throughout Wisconsin
Children’s Research Institute, Children’s
National Medical Center (Washington, DC) –
Salary Support of Educators, SIDS Outreach Project
Guild for Infant Survival, Orange County (Tustin,
CA) – Salary Support of Director
New Jersey Department of Children and
Families (Trenton, NJ) – New Jersey Healthy Infant
Sleep DOSE: Direct on Scene Education
New Mexico Department of Health (Santa Fe,
NM) – Safer Sleep for New Mexico’s Infants: On
Everyone’s Agenda
Northeast Mississippi Birthing Project (Tupelo,
MS) – Safe Sleep Education and Community
Outreach
Pearl River Valley Opportunity, Inc. (Columbia,
MS) – Safe Sleep Education and Community
Outreach
Safe Kids Colorado (Aurora, CO) – Convening
Stakeholders for Safe Sleep in Colorado
SIDS Center of New Jersey, Hackensack
University Medical Center (Hackensack, NJ)
– Salary support, bereavement support, family
remembrance activities
SIDS Educational Services Inc. (Cheverly, MD) –
Program support
Inland Northwest SIDS Foundation (Rathdrum,
ID) – Safe Sleep Education in Northern Idaho
Southwest Louisiana Area Health Education
Center (Lafayette, LA) – A DOSE of Safe Sleep
Education
Kansas Infant Death and SIDS Network
(Wichita, KS) – Bereavement Support
Westchester Jewish Community Services
(White Plains, NY) – SIDS and Infant Loss Program
Michigan Public Health Institute (Okemos, MI) –
Direct on Scene Education (DOSE) Training
KEEP GOING
KEEP GROWING.
primary logos
secondary logos
• the name
• the name
• the NYC icon
• the NYC icon
A Newsletter
for families
and friendsa combination
of the of:
CJ Foundation for SIDS
a combination
of:
2014
Fall 2014
2014 TCS NEW YORK CITY MARATHON
• the TCS mark
CJ Third Party Events
In this Issue:
A large part of our fundraising efforts go to all the SIDS/SUID
parents (relatives and friends) who so graciously give of their
time in memory of a baby to hold an event. The CJ Foundation for SIDS is the recipient of the funds from these events.
We want to once again thank all those involved who hold
these events, as there would be no CJ Foundation without
their generous donations.
Peacock Strides for Babies - March 22
Strike Out SIDS – Jax & Eli – March 22
Reid’s Race – April 12
2nd Annual Bass Tournament – April 19
Huntley’s Hot Rod Rumble – April 26
Paragolf in Memory of Zamira – May 27
Gabriel Lee Friedline Memorial Run – May 31
Lach’s Legacy – May 11 & June 14
Strollin’ to Fight SIDS – June 7
Dash for Nash – June 14,
Coffee for The Cause – June 15 through September 15
Ride for Kaylee Grace – June 21
The Ride for Dominic J. LaZore – June 22
Strike Out SIDS - Hudson – June 22
Noah’s Memorial Classic – June 23 & July 28
Paisley’s Strike Out SIDS – June 28
SUDS for SIDS – June 29
Strike Out SIDS - Softball Tournament – July 19 & August 2
Dancing for Hope- Zumbathon – July 26
31 Party Event - August 1
Bella Rose Strides for Babies – August 9
Strides for Babies- Damien – August 16
2014 NYC Marathon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Note from the President & Executive Director. . . . 2
Meet Our Staff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
CJ Financials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Charitable Giving. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Excellence in Giving. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
House of Representatives. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Bella Rose Strides. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Strides for Babies NJ. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Safe Sleep Roundtable. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Other Ways to Give . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
The Ride for Dominic. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Diagnosis of Confusion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Making a Difference in Mississippi . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Support Service Grants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
CJ Third Party Events. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
The CJ Foundation for SIDS is happy to announce that the New York Road
Runner’s Charity Program has once again awarded the Foundation six runners’
bibs for entry to this year’s TCS NYRR NYC Marathon. These runners were eligible
and competed on the 2014 “Team CJ” and had the opportunity to raise money
for the CJ Foundation.
This year’s team of dedicated runners were a diverse group, comprised of all ages,
as well as both seasoned and beginning runners. The team trained hard under our
“Team CJ” trainer, Kyra Oliver. Kyra, a dedicated CJ Foundation board member
and veteran marathon participant, worked very closely with each runner for several
months to make sure they were in good form for the race. The team worked extremely hard at
fundraising and their efforts have already raised $35,000! We are extremely proud and thankful
for the hard work and dedication of Kyra, the runners, and all of their supporters.
There is still time to show “Team CJ” your support by funding their hard earn efforts. To make a
donation on behalf of the team please go to — www.cjsids.org/get-yourself-involved/donate/
donations
Anyone interested in running on behalf of the CJ Foundation in the 2015 TCS NYRR NYC
Marathon please contact the foundation through www.cjsids.org or at 551-996-5111.
Your Gift Will Help Save a Baby’s Life
Yes, I want to contribute to the CJ Foundation for SIDS, so they can
continue their funding of cutting edge research, safe sleep education,
and the funding of support services to bereaved parents.
$500
$250
$150
$_______ Other
PLEASE, keep me updated with emails.
_________________________________
NEWS NEWS1014
CJ Foundation for SIDS // HUMC, Imus Pediatric Center // 30 Prospect Avenue // Hackensack, NJ 07601 // (551)996-5111 // www.cjsids.org
CJ Foundation for SIDS
Hackensack University Medical Center
The Don Imus-WFAN Pediatric Center
30 Prospect Ave.
Hackensack, NJ 07601
THE RIDE FOR Dominic J. LaZore
Note from The Executive Director
Board of Directors
Dear Readers,
Joel Hollander, Chairman
Susan Hollander, President/Executive Director
Brian Clark, Esq.
Pete Figliozzi
Noel Firth
Robert Kossar
Kyra Oliver
Steve Rosner
Kris Rovell, M.S.N.
Steve Scully
Jim Tenney
Lisa DeMarco
Don Imus/Emeritus
Mel Karmazin/Emeritus
First, let me thank you in advance for taking the time to read our
newsletter. I know you have busy lives and lots to read during the
course of a day. It is very important at the CJ Foundation for SIDS
to keep our readers informed on all our recent endeavors. Most
importantly, to those who have donated, we want to let you know
where your hard earned dollars are being spent.
Things you will read about in this newsletter: In April we held our
second Excellence in Giving dinner. This year’s recipients truly
were examples of what it means to give back. The CJ Foundation
has been involved in funding some new and innovative projects
throughout the United States, both for support services and clinical and scientific research.
There have been changes within the government and communities throughout the United
States regarding definitions of SIDS and guidelines for infant safe sleep. These are important
issues with which the CJ Foundation stays current.
We continue to operate on a lean budget and a very small administrative staff. As long as we
can rely on support from our readers and donors, I see no reason to change that. It’s what
we’ve been doing for over 20 years.
We are going into our 21st year for the CJ Foundation. Some people have asked me why we
don’t have a celebration, I tell them that “yes” we celebrate everyday the accomplishments
of our work. We celebrate when a funded research grant gets published in a major medical
publication. We celebrate when a parent calls to tell us how much they appreciate the help we
have offered them. The big celebration will come when every baby born is safe from Sudden
Infant Death and from Sudden Unexpected Infant Death.
Staff
Stephanie Barrios,
Foundation Assistant & Event Coordinator
Wendy Jacobs,
Assistant Executive Director, Programs & Grants
Jackie Nemeth,
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, MSW, LCSW
Lisa Capizzi,
Senior, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, MSW, LCSW
Regards,
Susan Hollander
Meet the Staff
STEPHANIE
BARRIOS
Foundation Assistant and
Event Coordinator
Please join me in
welcoming Stephanie
Barrios to the CJ
Foundation. Stephanie’s
duties at the foundation
include working both as
a Foundation Assistant and the Event Coordinator for
all third-party events. In her short time with us she has
already become an invaluable employee. She is confident
in her work and not afraid to tackle any issue. Stephanie
is a graduate from William Paterson University in Wayne,
NJ, with a BA in History. She is currently pursuing
her Master of Public Administration with a Nonprofit
Management concentration at Rutgers University.
Stephanie is also fluent in Spanish. Stephanie’s goal is to
grow at the CJ Foundation, and one day be in the role of
Executive Director herself.
Any general/fundraising questions please feel free to
reach Stephanie at [email protected] or 551-9965111.
WENDY JACOBS
Assistant Executive Director,
Programs and Grants
Wendy has been with the
CJ Foundation since 1996.
She joined the staff as an
Administrative Assistant
and quickly assumed the
responsibility for Programs
and Grants. Within a short
time Wendy moved up to become Assistant Executive
Director, Programs and Grants. During her tenure
she has represented the CJ Foundation on numerous
national committees and conferences. Most notably she
has lent her expertise to the Sudden Unexpected Infant
Death (SUID) Case Registry Reverse Site meetings. She
currently serves as the Vice President for the Association
of SIDS and Infant Mortality Programs (ASIP).
Wendy has become a knowledgeable and reliable source
for SIDS and SUID information. She knows many key
players in the field and is always willing to share her
expertise. She is a valued and trusted employee at the
CJ Foundation for SIDS.
For any questions regarding programs or grant funding,
you can reach [email protected].
Your Donations at Work
8%
18%
Family Support
36%
Research
Public Education/Awareness
19%
Fundraising
20%
Management & General
The CJ Foundation is a national non-profit devoted
to eliminating the tragedy of sudden unexpected
infant deaths, supporting grieving families, advancing
medical research, furthering parent and professional
education, and advocating for the health and survival
of all children.
Matching Gifts
Please note, if you’d like to double
CHARITABLE GIVING
Life’s persistent and most urgent
question is “What are you doing for
others?”
Jim Cramer & Mike Francesa
- Martin Luther King Jr.
Charitable giving plays a vital role in all non-profits. As with most
charities, the CJ Foundation runs on a limited budget. Our goal
is to use the majority of donations towards funding research,
and educational and support programs. We take pride in the fact
that in 2013 only 8% of our costs went towards administrative
and management costs. This is not an easy task, however it is a
necessary one.
Charitable giving means giving without receiving. This giving allows
people or organizations that cannot fund themselves to exist
and support very important causes of all kinds. Philanthropy and
charitable giving by private citizens and organizations has made a
difference in the lives of millions of others.
Joel Hollander, Dr. Hannah Kinney
& Susan Hollander
Dylan Kossar & Rob Kossar
*Here are some current and interesting facts regarding
charitable giving:
On April 29, 2014, the CJ
Foundation for SIDS held our
second Excellence in Giving
dinner. This year’s honorees
truly exemplified what it means
to give. The honorees included:
Rob Kossar, SIDS father and CJ
Foundation Board member, Mike
Francesa, National Radio Talk
Show Host, Mark Chernoff, VP
Programming CBS Radio/WFAN,
and Hannah Kinney, Professor
Pathology, Harvard Medical
School, Neuropathologist, Boston
Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA.
Sadly, Rob lost his son Ryan 10
years ago. He turned this tragedy
around by starting the Ryan Wolfe
Kossar Foundation in memory of
his son. Through the years Rob
has raised over a million dollars.
In 2013, 95.4% of households gave to charity.
In 2013, foundation giving increased 5.7%.
62% of high net worth donors site “giving back to the community “
as a chief motivating factor.
In 2013, online giving grew by 13.5%. (Small non-profits grew
their online giving the most.)
If you are receiving this newsletter, at one point you have made a
donation or helped to support the CJ Foundation for SIDS. This
is our opportunity to “thank you” again for your support. You are
making a difference in the lives of thousands of parents who seek
support services when their babies pass away. You are helping to
fund cutting edge SIDS research and most importantly, you will be
helping to save the lives of thousands of babies yet to be born.
*www.npturust.org/philantropic-resources/charitable-givingstatistics
✁
Mike and Mark have been
contributing to our cause since the
inception of the CJ Foundation.
Both have been major contributors
to our past Radiothons, helping
to raise millions of dollars for the
Foundation.
Dr. Kinney has dedicated the
latter part of her life to finding
the answer to SIDS. It is at the
Hannah Kinney Labs in Boston
Children’s Hospital where the
study of infant brain stems and
serotonin may one day lead to the
answer we have all been looking
for.
We were pleased to recognize
the extensive contributions and
valuable work that they have made
to the Foundation.
The evening was a huge success
and raised over $300,000!!!
CJ Foundation’s Commitment to Funding Research
The CJ Foundation remains committed to eliminating
SIDS and Other Sleep-Related Infant Deaths.
To this end, the CJ Foundation is the leading
non-government funder of research aimed at
accomplishing this.
A study that was conducted with support from the
CJ Foundation was recently published in Pediatrics
(2014 Aug;134(2):e406-12. doi: 10.1542/
peds.2014-0401).
The objective of “Sleep environment risks for
younger and older infants” was to determine any
associations between known risk factors for sleeprelated deaths at different ages. Overall SIDS rates
have slightly declined but sleep related infant deaths
My gift is extra special because it is
In memory of: _________________________________________
In honor of: ___________________________________________
Please make sure this person knows I am thinking of them.
Name: _______________________________________________
Address: ______________________________________________
are on the rise due to suffocation. For older infants
(4+ months) who are beginning to roll over the risk
factor for them was turning onto objects in the sleep
environment. Therefore, at any age in a baby’s life it
is recommended that your child sleep alone with no
obstructions what so ever.
Children’s Mercy Hospital, Principal
Investigators: Rachel Y. Moon, MD and Jeffrey D.
Colvin, MD, JD
Other projects funded in 2013 include:
continued on page 5
✁
Payment Method
Check payable to the CJ Foundation for SIDS enclosed.
Please charge my:
VISA
MC
AMEX
DISC
Card No: ___________________________________________
Exp Date: ___________________________________________
Signature:
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Print Name on Card:
__________________________________________________
your donation remember to ask your
employer to match your donation!
This event, first held in August 2012, brings together
runners and walkers, young and old, all with a common
goal - - to make a difference. Participants enlist financial
support of family and friends. Companies join the effort
as sponsors and volunteers dedicate their time, all in
an effort to make this event a success. In three years,
Bella Rose Strides has raised over $75,000 for the CJ
Foundation and research!
He has worked closely with the
Foundation helping to fund crucial
Safe Sleep programs.
Please return this form with your gift in the envelope provided. Thank you!
CJ Foundation for SIDS // HUMC, Imus Pediatric Center // 30 Prospect Avenue // Hackensack, NJ 07601 // (551)996-5111 // www.cjsids.org
BELLA ROSE STRIDES
HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES
PASSES H.R. 669
Where do we go from here?
On Tuesday, September 9, 2014 the House
of Representatives unanimously passed bill
HR 669, The Sudden Unexpected Death Data
Enhancement and Awareness Act.
Laura Crandall, Program Director of the SUDC
Program, has worked tirelessly for the past
three years helping to write and advocate for
this bill. There has finally been a victory but
there is still one hurdle to climb before we can
celebrate. This bill must pass in the Senate
S.2746.
This crucial legislation will improve the
investigations of infants and children who die
unexpectedly as well as those who succumb
to stillbirth.
TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE! Please help give
answers to families and save the lives of future
generations by contacting your Senators today.
Please go to www.senate.gov to locate your
Senator’s website. There is a step-by-step
guideline to help support this bill.
When a baby dies suddenly and unexpectedly, it affects
many. In May of 2011, when beautiful, charismatic Bella
Rose Diaz died, it had a profound impact on those at
Carolina Family Practice and Sports Medicine (CFPSM)
in North Carolina. Bella’s mother, Amy, was a beloved
employee there. To honor Bella, promote awareness of
SIDS and Sudden Unexpected Infant Death, and raise
funds for research, CFPSM organized Bella Rose Strides
for Babies 5K in Cary, North Carolina.
The CJ Foundation would like to extend our sincere
appreciation to CFPSM and Inside Out Sports for their
continued support. We’d like to thank all sponsors,
volunteers, participants and donors. A special thanks
goes out to Chick-fil-A and Jersey Mike’s Subs, both of
whom hold additional fundraising activities in conjunction
with Bella Rose Strides. This event couldn’t happen
without the efforts of Aaron Leininger, Nick Seiler, Amy
Switzer, and Laura Pinette. We are grateful for their
dedication and commitment in remembering Bella and
providing hope for the future.
Other Ways to Give
The CJ Foundation is now
working with Mommy Bracelets
to create the most beautiful and
personalized bracelets for our
parents! Our partnership with
Mommy Bracelets gives CJ
parents the opportunity to create
a memory bracelet that can be
customized with your child’s name, and also gives you the
opportunity to browse through a diverse jewelry collection.
As a CJ parent you receive 10% off your purchase, and
10% of all proceeds will go to the CJ Foundation for SIDS!
This special will be running through the holiday season until
the end of 2014! Enter discount code “CJ10SIDS”.
For additional information visit:
The CJ Foundation has now partnered with Cars, Inc.,
where all towable vehicles are eligible for donation,
which includes cars, trucks, boats, and airplanes!
Please visit our website
to begin the step-by-step process:
www.cjsids.org/get-yourself-involved/donate/donate-a-vehicle.html
www.mommybracelets.com
SAFE SLEEP ROUNDTABLE
Earlier this year, the CJ Foundation was invited
to a Safe Sleep Roundtable convened by the
Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO). Representatives from numerous
federal, state and local organizations participated and discussed priorities in promoting
safe sleep practices to reduce the incidence
of sleep-related infant death. Presentations
were made by organizations and federal
agencies describing their safe sleep initiatives.
Discussions included: developing and sustaining partnerships and coalitions; developing
effective messages; engaging your audience;
and identifying existing successful models
for replication. Next steps were identified for
enhancing the effectiveness of safe sleep
campaigns. The CJ Foundation was honored to
participate in such an important meeting.
STRIDES FOR BABIES NJ
This year’s Strides for Babies NJ previously known as
CJ Strides for Babies took place on Sunday, October
12th, 2014. It is a statewide run/walk in New Jersey to
commemorate all our lost babies who have passed away
from SIDS/SUID. Sheryl Blank, SUID mom whose son
Gavin passed away November 5th, 2013 has taken on
the project to coordinate this run/walk. This event took
place at Thompson Park in Lincroft, New Jersey in Monmouth County. Sheryl decided to take on the Strides for
Babies NJ run/walk after her son passed away, and she
found solace at the CJ Foundation for SIDS. Sheryl has
shared that her motivation was not only to give herself a positive outlet for her grief, but to also re-pay the kindness
both the CJ Foundation and the SIDS Center of NJ have shown her family. Successfully hosting and completing this
event has served as a positive outlet and thank you, and also served to make her sons (Gavin and Jonah) proud by
showing them that their mom will always move mountains for the both of them. Sheryl is anticipating building on
the event’s success for other Strides for Babies walks in the future!