For Baby Ella . . .

LUMINARIA HELD ON MONUMENT CIRCLE FOR SIDS, PREGNANCY, AND INFANT LOSS AWARENESS MONTH
On this day, in communities across America, expectant moms will feel their baby's first kick; parents will listen joyfully to their newborn's first cry; and families will celebrate their healthy baby's first birthday. Also on this day, seven babies will be lost to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS); more than 70 new parents will have listened sadly to their stillborn baby's silence; and countless lives will be lost to miscarriage and other sudden, unexpected infant deaths.



Indianapolis, IN – October 2008--October is SIDS, Pregnancy, and Infant Loss Awareness month, and AnEveningForElla.org is teaming up with the nation's leading organization dedicated to infant health and survival to help increase awareness about the devastation of infant death.



October 22, 2008 at 7 pm on Monument Circle in downtown Indianapolis, we will host "An Evening for Ella and Friends." A luminaria and memorial service will take place on the south staircase to remember the lives that have been lost, and will continue to be lost. Each luminaria bag will have the name of a baby lost. To submit a name, e-mail aneveningforella@gmail.com. The public is invited to attend.



"AnEveningForElla.org was established after the loss of our 10 week old daughter, Ella, on April 22 of this year. We hope to help parents prevent their baby's last night of sleep and at the same time, help them find the support they need to get through the devastation of miscarriage, still birth, or infant loss. We want people to remember the babies that have been lost so we can give the babies that are here the best care possible." ~Mel McMahon, Radio Personality 93.1 WIBC, 97.1 HANK FM, B105.7



According to the most recent data available, in Marion County alone, 146 babies were lost before they turned a year old and 117 babies were lost before they were full term (Source: IN State Department of Health ERC Date Analysis). Although those numbers may not seem high, the impact of those losses is immeasurable.



To learn more about this event, call Mel McMahon at (317) 684-8714 or visit www.aneveningforella.org. To learn more about the efforts of First Candle, visit www.firstcandle.org. Interested individuals can access information on ways they can help create awareness and/or show support for families and babies in their local community. Bilingual crisis counselors are also available 24/7 by calling, toll free, 1-800-221-7437.




First Candle/SIDS Alliance is a national, nonprofit, health organization dedicated to promoting infant health and survival during the prenatal period through age two with programs of advocacy, education and research; while at the same time providing compassionate grief support to those experiencing an infant death. For more information ..ing babies survive and thrive, to access local support services or to make a donation, please call 1.800.221.7437 or visit www.firstcandle.org