The race to end SIDS
COEUR d’ALENE — More than 600 people joined the Run for the Angels 5k at McEuen Park Sunday.
The annual event is held by the Inland Northwest SIDS Foundation to raise awareness and support for families struggling with the loss from sudden infant death.
The opening ceremonies were full of tears and memories with the reading of just under 100 names of those lost to SIDS.
Rep. Luke Malek, R-Coeur d’Alene, spoke to the crowd before the start of the race.
Malek read a proclamation written by Liz Montgomery, executive director of INSIDS Foundation.
The proclamation endorses the month of October being recognized by the state as Safe Sleep Awareness Month. Governor Butch Otter is scheduled to sign the proclamation in Boise on Oct. 28.
Molly Preston of Post Falls joined walkers and runners Sunday. Preston lost her own daughter Jovi to SIDS three years ago.
“It’s a pretty great day to have everyone come together to honor her (Jovi) and the others lost,” Preston said. “I can’t believe the amount of people that come out to support an event like this.”
Though the event focuses greatly on the memory of the children who died unexpectedly, it’s also about raising awareness.
Dr. Kathleen Webb, director of newborn services at Kootenai Health, said education is vital in the fight against SIDS.
She said Kootenai Health is striving to be champions in the fight against SIDS and Sleep Safe awareness.
“We used to have babies sleep on their stomach, now we know sleeping on their back is safer,” Webb said.
Webb said it’s simple education that could save lives.
Montgomery wishes she has known Safe Sleep procedures when she had her son Mason 12 years ago. Now she does what she can to prevent others from knowing the pain she feels.
“If someone had just said to me 12 years ago, ‘Liz, this is how you keep your baby safe,’ he would still be here,” Montgomery said. “I do this because I don’t want anyone else to go through what all of us have and for those who have experienced a loss to know that we are not alone.”