In memory of Mason

Liz Montgomery wants the sudden death of her 5-month-old son, Mason, to translate into help for others.

Mason, who died of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) in 2003, is why Montgomery founded a new nonprofit called Inland Northwest SIDS Foundation and organized the first Run for the Angels that will be held on Sunday at Riverstone Park in Coeur d'Alene to benefit the group.

"I don't want anyone to have to go through (a death caused by SIDS) alone," the Rathdrum woman said. "The first couple years can be unbearable."

SIDS is the unexpected death of a child under 1 in which an autopsy does not show an explainable cause of death. A variety of factors, including sleeping on the stomach, being around cigarette smoke in the womb or after birth, loose bedding in the crib, premature birth and being born to a teen mom, have been linked to increased risk of SIDS.

Montgomery said the Northwest Infant Survival and SIDS Alliance was there to help her with the tragedy. She later volunteered for the group and even worked for it before her outreach job was cut. Last year a fundraiser run in Spokane for the group was canceled after being held more than 20 years.

Those factors drove Montgomery to start the new nonprofit aimed at education on safe sleeping, increasing SIDS awareness and offering grief support to affected families.

"It fills a void," she said of the foundation.

"That (run) was a day to remember our children. We looked forward to it every year. It was so comforting and healing to know there's other people who experienced this."

An informal, impromptu remembrance gathering at Riverstone last year drew about 100 people. The turnout - and Montgomery's fiance Brian Rauscher - encouraged Montgomery to start the organized 5-kilometer run/walk.

The new nonprofit has about 300 members and more are being sought. October is SIDS Awareness Month.

Montgomery said being involved with the group has helped her cope with the loss of Mason.

Montgomery was a school teacher in Avery, while her ex-husband and Mason's father, Rae Sjostrom, was a firefighter at the time.

"He went down for a nap and just quit breathing," said Montgomery, who was notified at school after a friend called about the incident.

Montgomery said Mason had been a healthy baby.

Proceeds from the run and auction fundraiser will be used to buy "sleep sacks," an alternative to blankets intended to decrease the chance of suffocation, and grief books for affected families.

Montgomery, a family consultant for Mountain States Early Head Start, also serves with the North Idaho Veterans Stand Down, the Idaho Region 1 Homeless Coalition, Trinity Group Homes, Make-A-Wish Foundation, United Way and Crosswalk North Idaho, formerly Project Safe Place.

"She really is an amazing person - so selfless, so giving," said Rauscher, who is assisting Montgomery with the run. "She is so driven and together that I often forget that she had to go through with this horrible ordeal."

Run for the Angels

The 5-kilometer Run for the Angels aimed at increasing awareness about sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and raising funds for the new nonprofit Inland Northwest SIDS Foundation will be held on Sunday at the Riverstone Park gazebo in Coeur d'Alene. Check-in is from 2-3:30 p.m. and the run/walk along the Centennial Trail is at 4 p.m. There will be a silent auction from 2-5 p.m., a crib bumper pad drive from 2-3:30 p.m. and remembrance ceremony at 5:30 p.m. Cost is $25 and $15 for ages 12 and younger. Entrants get a T-shirt and will be eligible for raffle prizes. Register at inwsids.eventbrite.com, www.inwsids.org or at the event. Online registration is encouraged, but not mandatory. Information: 55-SIDS1, inwsids@yahoo.com.