Why Raise Awareness and Funds for SIDS Research?
On August 12th, 1993, my younger brother, Cory K. Chow, died of SIDS. According to the CDC, the rate of SIDS hasn't decreased since my brother's death.
Image: My brother and me.
Information from the Aaron Matthew SIDS Research Guild about what is SIDS:
The United States has one of the highest infant mortality rates in the world. According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, in the US, roughly six out of 1000 children die before their first birthdays. Of these, about 4000 infants (1 in 6) die each year from unexplained causes. These deaths are referred to as Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID), the death of an infant less than 1 year of age that occurs suddenly and unexpectedly, and whose cause of death is not immediately obvious before investigation. SUIDs includes sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), Unknown, and “Accidental Suffocation and Strangulation in Bed.”
The following data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) shows that while SIDS rates in the US have come down, the overall SUID rate has not improved since the mid ‘90s. Over 20,000 children die each year in the US in their first year of life. While there have been great strides in prevention of death due to neonatal preterm birth complications (still the leading cause of death worldwide), there hasn’t been any comparable improvements in preventing SIDS.
Definition of SIDS (CDC).
On August 12th, 1993, my younger brother, Cory K. Chow, died of SIDS. According to the CDC, the rate of SIDS hasn't decreased since my brother's death.
Image: My brother and me.
There are a few reasons I picked Aaron Matthew Research Guild at Seattle Children's Hospital.
I was born in the Seattle area and have many family members who still live in the metropolitan area, including my newborn baby half-sister.
As a scientist, I specifically wanted to raise money for SIDS research. There are many other SIDS charities that support affected familes and educating the public.
The Aaron Matthew SIDS Research Guild is creating the first-ever cloud-based whole-genome database specifically dedicated to sudden infant/child death. Data is "the new oil" in scientific research. Access to this data will allow researchers from various fields, such as medical and biostatistics, to contribute in solving the cause of SIDS.
Image: Me at the 2019 Coeur d'Alene Half-Ironman.
Reasons why I choose the 2020 Coeur d'Alene Half-Ironman as the event to raise awareness and funds for SIDS research.
The 2020 Coeur d'Alene Half-Ironman will be on my brother's birthday, June 28th. My 30th birthday will be four days later. I am racing to also raise awarness that the rate of SIDS hasn't decreased since my brother's death
On June 28th 2020, Cory would be 27, which is how old I was when I completed my first full Ironman in Santa Rosa.
The race is in Idaho. My brother was born in Idaho, died in Idaho, and his gravestone is in Idaho. I was raised and lived in Idaho for over 20 years. #Idahome
My brother's death has taught me the importance of living life the fullest. I am often asked why I started triathlons or why I keep doing so many things. My brother is my why I push myself both mentally and physically.
*There is an additional $400 that was directly donated to the Aaron Matthews Guild that is not reflected on the Ironman Foundation donation page.
Directly to Aaron Matthew SIDS Research Guild and specifiy "In memory of Cory K. Chow."
Indirectly through the Ironman Foundation.
NOTE: Ironman Foundation charges 8% per donation. However, Aaron Matthew founders match all donations $250 and over. If you plan to donate $250 or more, you should donate directly to the Aaron Matthew Research Guild. Those who donate to my page through the Ironman Foundation, your donation will be matched since the final amount donated will be larger than $250. Donate
Let people know about SIDS and what Aaron Matthew Research Guild does to help! Post on Facebook, tweet on Twitter, share photos on Instagram, and more.
Additionally, starting from day 300 (Sept. 1), I'll be posting every 10 days a happy memory we typically experience at certain ages, counting up until I hit "year 30." This is significant, because infants that pass away from SIDS never reach their first birthday. Please share your favorite memories at each age I post about every 10 days.
Use #StopSIDS #Cory27
The Aaron Matthew Research Guild has a list of more ways to help such as:
Given the COVID-19 situation, we will be racing virtually. Yes, WE! A few friends and I will be racing around Santa Fe! Below are the race details.
Virtual HIM completed with a handmade, wooden medal!
We all swam 1.2 miles (roughly 2150 yards in pool) at the Walkup Center in Los Alamos, NM, which is at 7,300ft elevation!
Lani Seaman Fegenbush 27:22
Liz Miller 34:05
Claire Bowen 36:48
We rode the classic Santa Fe Half-Century Loop (plus another 6 miles) or commonly referred to as the Galisteo Loop. This route turned out rougher than we thought! RidewithGPS said the route was 2,300 ft gain, but my Garmin watch and Strava (online workout site) said the gain was over 3,000ft.
Lani Seaman Fegenbush 3:10:00
Liz Miller 2:53:00
Claire Bowen 3:36:00
Turnaround spot for the extra 6 miles. The Whiskey Classic Parking Shuttle Pickup Spot.
Bike aid station at a pull off right after we turn towards Galisteo (NM 41).
We ran roughly 12 laps around my neighborhood...I know, boring, but Mack (spouse) will being "manning" the aid station. By the time we started the run, it was over 80 degrees (climbing to 90). Mack stocked up on ice, cold water, and had the hose out to spray us each lap. I ended up walking a lot more than I thought I would. The heat, elevation, and a bad knee got to me, but I finished! Mack coordinated with our friends to surprise Lani, Liz, and me with handmade, wooden medals!
Lani Seaman Fegenbush (walk/run part of course due to hamstring injury)
Liz Miller under 2 hours
Claire Bowen 2:40:00
Live life to the fullest!