What do we do?

CFSID plays an important role in lives of millions of Canadians.  Many believe CFSID is a bereavement support group for families that have experienced a SIDS death.  This is true but only a small fraction of our role in Canadian society.

Why do we do this work?

Because we can't bear the thought of another parent, grandparent or family enduring this hell alone. Because we feel an ethical responsibility to each other.  Because babies keep dying and more people need to be educated. Mostly, because our children lived and died, and we owe it to them to do everything we can in their names.  Much of what we do is provide emotional support for those affected and promote and support innovative SIDS research. But nothing is more important than saving lives by educating parents and expectant parents on how to reduce the risk of SIDS.

The following is our stated objects in our Letters Patent:

Letters Patent

Recorded May 7, 1973

The objects of the Corporation are: to study and practice infant health and welfare including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the study of, research into and prevention of sudden infant deaths, commonly known as crib death: and for such purposes as the directors of the Corporation consider advisable.

Thankfully, a very low percentage of the more than 400,000 babies born annually in Canada die of SIDS -- roughly 150 each year.  But considering the incalculable effects of these tragedies on innocent families -- the impossibility, for many of them, of every returning to what was normal beforehand -- the fact that 1,287 apparently happy, healthy babies have died of SIDS in the past 10 years underscores the continued need for the work we do. As you know, CFSID is a volunteer-based organization with only one full-time staff across Canada; our work is completed by families who have had a child die of SIDS, their families and their friends.

Almost 35 years later, and we continue to serve our members and all of Canada in these objectives.  Over the years we have expanded our focus to all unexpected and unexplained death in childhood from SIDS to SUDC.    As you may be aware, the rate of SIDS is declining worldwide but this fact is also causing many to believe that SIDS and other infant deaths are no longer a serious threat to our children.  The fact is SIDS remains the leading cause of death in infant’s aged one month to one year of age.  Many more babies will die unexplained and even more will be stillborn.   CFSID wants to inform Canadians that infant loss is robbing us of our future and that we cannot stop in our quest to find a cure for this devastating loss of infants.  Three or four babies will die each week in Canada this year. Together, the number of children lost to SIDS worldwide in 2007 will be staggering!  Three or four babies will die each week in Canada.  In 2007, seven (7) people have died from West Nile, SIDS has taken approximately 50 babies, 50 babies to unexplained death and hundreds are lost to miscarriage and stillbirth!

Our "good cause" is very simple and extremely important.  Since 1994, we have seen the rate of SIDS fall by 50% .   Since 1999, no further reduction has been seen. Why?  The possibility of the death of an infant is so abnormal and terrifying that our message is not being told, parents are not being educated in the steps to reducing SIDS. The topic of death is taboo!  Our “good cause” is to see the rate of SIDS reduced another 50% while providing support to those experiencing an infant’s death.

The death of a child is horrific and devastating for the family.  Although parent’s lives continue, life is forever changed.  Imagine that parent and hear their story.  CFSID with your help could help prevent stories like the following:

“I waited for the Chief Medical Examiner to get there for 2 hours. The living room was filled with police and my bedroom had Riley in it and they had advised me not to go in. When the CME got there she interrogated me. They were probably simple procedure questions but I felt she was being offensive. I remember her talking to the police before she had seen Riley and she had said, "Oh, their so young! Was it abuse?" I felt so sick. Such a horrible thing to say; I lost my life and had my character attacked! We had Riley cremated and we're now saving up money for the funeral.”

Cassidy Age 16 Teen Mom

“When Tommy died, I understand now, that it wasn’t just a part of me that died with him but a part of the entire family as well. Their hopes and dreams of playing with him and showering him with the same love and encouragement they’ve always showed me. They lost so much more than their nephew, the first-born little man of the family…what huge expectations lay on those tiny shoulders. They also lost the sister they knew and loved. None of us will ever be the same as we were before Tommy…once you’ve known the sunshine, even for a brief time, you’ll always know that it’s missing.”

Brigitte Age 24 Mom