On February 8th, 2013, I learned about Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood the hard way when my 14 month old, Patrick passed away in his sleep. SUDC affects 1.4 in 100,000 children*- the mortality rate for pediatric cancer (the #1 killer of children of death by disease) is 2.3 per 100,000, for comparison.** It means any given child is at risk of going to sleep in perfect health and never again waking. I never thought it could happen to me, either.

While SIDS, SUDC's better known cousin, is included in Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness month in October and on PAILA day October 15th, SUDC parents haven't lost an infant by the definition of our diagnosis- we've lost a child. There is no awareness, no federal funding for research or resources for SUDC, just a private program run by a few dedicated individuals like me who experienced SUDC without community or grief support specialized to their losses. (www.sudc.org)

If SUDC parents are to be denied a reason we're in this heartbreaking situation, at least let there be a net to catch us. Let there be federally funded research, let there be conversation and community based around how best to support us. Give us space in the hearts of the general public and on the calendar.

Please sign this petition to make February SUDC Awareness month and February 8th SUDC Awareness Day- I know it was mine.

* http://www.sudc.org/Medical-Forensic-Info/SUDC-Statistics
**http://www.cancer.gov/types/childhood-cancers/child-adolescent-cancers-fact-sheet