First Candle
Established in 1993, First Candle is the leading national non-profit committed to ending Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), accidental infant suffocation and preventable stillbirths while providing bereavement support to those families who have experienced a loss. Every year in this country 27,000 babies die due to SIDS, other sleep-related issues or are stillborn. SIDS is still the leading cause of death for babies one month to one year of age. Through our program, Straight Talk for Infant Safe Sleep, we educate parents, caregivers and other care providers on the American Academy of Pediatrics safe sleep guidelines which could reduce the rate of SIDS and accidental suffocation by 50%.
We support researchers who are leading the way in identifying the causes of SIDS and stillbirth and collaborate with other organizations around the world who are doing the same. And, for those parents, sibling and other family members who have experienced a loss, we provide bereavement support materials, online support groups, a grief line and peer counselors.