This award is presented in recognition of an outstanding program that demonstrates an innovative approach to fulfilling the PA SIDS mission.

 

'Cribs for Kids' Campaign - Steven A. Zappala Jr., Commander Gwen Elliot, and Bob O'Connor

With the introduction of the national ‘Back to Sleep’ campaign, resulting in a 43% decrease in SIDS rates throughout the country, sleep environment became the focus of our organization.  We were busy educating about the importance of babies being positioned on their backs for sleep.   Despite our efforts, we were alarmed to discover that 5 babies, in Allegheny County, were found dead in their sleep.  These infants did not die of SIDS but of accidental suffocation.  They died in bed with their parents because they did not have a crib in which to sleep.

Disturbed about these preventable deaths, on November 6, 1998, Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala, Jr. announced the formation of the ‘Cribs for Kids’ campaign.    Initiated originally by Commander Gwen Elliott of the Pittsburgh Police, the campaign was immediately supported by Pittsburgh City Council President and SIDS board member, Bob O’Connor.  Through the involvement of our Executive Director, Judith Bannon, the campaign was put under the direction of the PA SIDS Alliance.

Because of the support of these public officials we have been able to raise awareness of the importance of the basic tenet of the ‘Back to Sleep’ campaign.  We have provided over 1400 cribs, mattresses and Reduce the Risk information to families in Allegheny and Westmoreland Counties thanks to donations from local corporations, foundations, our ‘Cribs for Kids’ Golf Tournament, Kayla’s Run for SIDS and private donations.  More importantly our SIDS rates in the low-income areas of Pittsburgh have been reduced by 50%. 

We honor these individuals for initiating the ‘Cribs for Kids’ campaign that has proven to be a life-saving program that has helped us to fulfill our very important mission. 

 

 

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