Sudc Foundation

THE SUDC FOUNDATION ENVISIONS A WORLD WHERE NO MORE CHILDREN ARE LOST TO SUDDEN UNEXPLAINED DEATH IN CHILDHOOD. ITS MISSION IS TO PROMOTE AWARENESS, ADVOCATE FOR RESEARCH, AND SUPPORT THOSE AFFECTED BY SUDC. SUDC IS THE FIFTH LEADING CATEGORY OF DEATH IN CHILDREN AGES ONE TO FOUR, YET SUDC RECEIVES NO PUBLIC FUNDING. THE SUDC FOUNDATION PROVIDES ALL SERVICES AT NO COST TO THE FAMILIES IT SERVES.

IN 2020, THE FOUNDATION SERVED OVER 1,000 FAMILIES, OFFERING VARIOUS SUPPORT SERVICES INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: - EXPANDING OUR VIRTUAL SERVICES TO INCLUDE ONLINE SOCIAL HOURS, SPECIAL ONLINE PROGRAMMING AND AN INAUGURAL VIRTUAL RETREAT TO HELP OUR COMMUNITY CONNECT WHILE MAINTAINING THEIR HEALTH AND SAFETY DURING A GLOBAL PANDEMIC.- PERSONALIZED SUPPORT BY A SOCIAL WORKER - UNIQUE ONLINE AND TARGETED EMAIL SUPPORT GROUPS - PEER SUPPORT PROGRAMS MATCHING SPECIALLY TRAINED VOLUNTEER FAMILY MEMBERS WHO ARE FARTHER REMOVED FROM THEIR LOSS WITH NEWLY BEREAVED FAMILY MEMBERS.- RESOURCES TO SUPPORT THE UNIQUE NEEDS OF GRIEVING PARENTS, SIBLINGS AND GRANDPARENTS. - MONTHLY SUPPORT GROUP MEETINGS ONLINE AND IN PERSON. - MEMORIAL TRIBUTE PAGES FOR SUDC CHILDREN

IN 2020, ADVOCACY INCLUDED, BUT WAS NOT LIMITED TO: - PUBLISHING A FIRST-OF-ITS KIND BOOK, UNEXPLAINED PEDIATRIC DEATHS: INVESTIGATION, CERTIFICATION AND FAMILY NEEDS, ESTABLISHING THE FIRST-EVER NATIONAL CONSENSUS GUIDELINES IN THE U.S. TO FILL CRUCIAL NEEDS TO DETERMINE WHY UNEXPLAINED PEDIATRIC DEATHS HAPPEN AND SUPPORT FAMILIES AFTER THE TRAGEDY. - SUPPORTING THE PASSAGE OF SCARLETT'S SUNSHINE ON SUDDEN UNEXPECTED DEATH ACT, FEDERAL LEGISLATION TO STRENGTHEN EXISTING EFFORTS TO UNDERSTAND SUID AND SUDC BETTER, FACILITATE DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS, IMPROVE PREVENTATIVE EFFORTS, AND SUPPORT CHILDREN AND FAMILIES. PROVIDING INFORMATION AND RESOURCES THROUGH OUR WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS - A MONTHLY DIGITAL NEWSLETTER. - ANNUAL PRINTED AND MAILED NEWSLETTER. - INDIVIDUALIZED CASE ADVOCACY TO ASSIST FAMILIES WITH NAVIGATING THE DEATH INVESTIGATION PROCESS. - FAMILY ADVOCATE TO ASSIST FAMILIES WISHING TO PURSUE BANKING OF THEIR CHILD'S DNA. - EVENT PLANNING SUPPORT FOR THOSE WISHING TO RAISE AWARENESS OR RAISE FUNDS FOR SUDC FOUNDATION. - PARTICIPATION IN CONFERENCES AND LEADING PRESENTATIONS TO EDUCATE PROFESSIONALS ON SUDC AND ON THE RESOURCES AVAILABLE FROM THE SUDC FOUNDATION.- CONCEIVED, ESTABLISHED AND SPEARHEAD YEARLY CAMPAIGN TO HONOR MARCH AS SUDC AWARENESS MONTH

THE SUDC FOUNDATION FUNDS RESEARCH CRUCIAL TO INCREASING THE UNDERSTANDING OF THE CHARACTERISTICS, CIRCUMSTANCES, MEDICAL HISTORIES AND PATHOLOGIES OF CHILDREN FROM AGES 11 MONTHS THROUGH 18 YEARS WHO HAVE DIED SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY, AND IN SOME INSTANCES, WITHOUT EXPLANATION.