Senator Lisa Murkowski's Names Honorary Co-Chair of 2005 Summit for Survival
SENATOR LISA MURKOWSKI NAMED HONORARY CO-CHAIR OF 2005 SUMMIT FOR SURVIVAL
CLIMB OF MT. McKINLEY TO HELP PREVENT SIDS AND SAVE BABIES' LIVES IN ALASKA AND NATIONWIDE
Senator Lisa Murkowski has been named as an Honorary Co-Chair of the 2005 Summit for Survival campaign First Candle/SIDS Alliance announced today. The second in a series of climbs by world renowned mountain climber Vern Tejas will begin Saturday, June 11, on Mt. McKinley, located in Alaska's Denali National Park and Preserve. The goal of Senator Murkowski and First Candle is to "raise awareness and funding needed to save precious young lives."
Senator Murkowski said she is committed to the success of the event. "I cannot think of anything more rewarding than helping to save infant lives," said Murkowski. "Our large Alaskan Native population has among the highest at-risk populations for infant death and we are pleased to help spread the word about the Summits for Survival campaign."
Vern Tejas made his first climb for First Candle last year when he staked a First Candle banner on top of Mt. Aconcagua, in Chile. Tejas, who is from Talkeetna, Alaska has reached the summit of the highest mountain on each continent, some several times, and has been named one of the top 50 Alaskan athletes of the Century by Sports Illustrated in 2000.
First Candle/SIDS Alliance is the nation's leading organization dedicated to infant health and survival. It is teaming up with individuals, corporations, foundations and others to fund critically needed research and provide parents and caregivers with proactive steps they can take to help their babies survive and thrive.
"Each day, in the United States alone, seven babies will be lost to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and 70 babies will be stillborn," said First Candle president, Marian Sokol, Ph.D., MPH. "Countless lives will also be lost to miscarriage and other causes of sudden, unexpected infant death. First Candle hopes that all those who have been touched by the life of a child will support and help spare a family the anguish of losing a precious child much too soon," said Sokol.
Thousands of brochures will be distributed to parents, individuals and businesses during May and June nationwide. Pregnancy Magazine will also promote the event with an insert that provides readers with information on the event. To participate in this event or to learn more about First Candle/SIDS Alliance and their efforts, please call 800.221.7437 or visit www.firstcandle.org.
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.
http://murkowski.senate.gov/pressapp/record.cfm?id=237759