Please Help Support the Stillbirth and SUID Prevention, Education and Awareness Act of 2009

First Candle is pleased to announce that the Stillbirth and SUID Prevention, Education and Awareness Act of 2009 was filed on July 14 by Senator Frank Lautenberg, D-NJ. A companion bill was filed in the House by Frank Pallone, Jr., D-NJ-6. This bill would improve the collection of critical data to determine the causes of stillbirth SIDS and SUID, increase education and awareness about how to prevent these tragedies in the future and expand support services for families who have experienced a stillbirth, SIDS or SUID loss.

• Every year there are more than 25,000 stillbirths in the United States. For more than half these deaths there is no known cause, leaving parents with more questions than answers as to why the baby died. The bill would expand activities to identify the causes of stillbirth, identify ways to prevent it in the future and increase education and awareness about the issue among healthcare providers and parents.


• In addition, there are more than 4,600 sudden unexpected infant deaths each year (including SIDS) and 200 sudden unexpected deaths of children between the ages of one and four. This bill encourages states to complete scene investigations to better understand why these children died, establishes a national database to track these deaths and identify risk factors to prevent them in the future, supports more comprehensive reviews and creates a national public awareness campaign to educate parents and caregivers.
  
  

We hope you will join us in supporting this legislation.
Please help by contacting your representative in the House and two Senators within the next week, urging them to co-sponsor this important bill.

The more co-sponsors the bill gets, the more likely it is to pass quickly through the House and Senate.

Participating in First Candle’s letter-writing campaign is easy!

• Visit www.house.gov to get contact information for the Congressman in your District. You will need your 9-digit zip code. If you do not know your 4 digit extension, you can get it at http://zip4.usps.com/zip4/welcome.jsp. You will then be able link directly to your Representative’s website.


• Visit www.senate.gov to get contact information for your states two Senators. Simply select your state from the drop down menu to connect to your Senators’ websites.


• We encourage you to call your representatives directly, or set up an appointment to meet with them face-to-face. Writing a letter or sending an email can be effective as well. Emails can be sent directly through your representatives’ websites.


• We have provided a Fact Sheet about the bill, as well as a sample letter to help guide you.


• Whether you are writing a letter or speaking with your representatives directly, be sure to include your personal story.


• First Candle would love to receive a copy of your letter or an email detailing your conversation with your representatives for our files.
  
  

Members of Congress rely on input from their constituents to help them better understand what issues are important to those they serve. Help give our babies a voice!


Please feel free to contact Laura Reno, 800.221.7437 or laura.reno@firstcandle.org with any questions you may have.

July Product Update

Here are some product updates we thought you'd like to know:

I recently changed the Swarovski Crystal Dangles to Genuine Gemstone Dangles on engraveable charms and pendants to minimize scratching on the pieces. Swarovski crystals are much harder than sterling silver, which is a relatively soft material. In contrast, genuine gemstones are softer materials and won't leave the same scratch marks that the Swarovski crystals do. The gemstones I'm using now are 4mm round and paired with sterling silver or gold filled ball head pins for an elegant look. I chose nice quality gemstones which are similar in color to the Traditional Birthstone Chart, so that it is easy to tell which birth month you are symbolizing on your personalized piece. I hope you like them as much as I do.

Here are some products that I've recently redesigned using new components:

Large Baby Footprints Engraved Pendant
Featuring a new larger style sterling silver heart.
This sample shows our new Aventurine Gemstone Dangle for May

Miscarriage/Pregnancy Loss Charm Necklace
has a new, more stylish butterfly charm.

Healing Heart Charm Necklace

~A "Heal" handstamped charm is a visual reminder to take care of your emotional and physical bell being.
~A genuine rose quartz briolette gemstone is to promote the healing of broken hearts and increase the reception of love.
~A genuine amethyst heart is for remembrance of your loved ones.
~A small heart charm is to symbolize the healing heart.

Fertility-Pregnancy Charm Necklace

~A "Baby" handstamped charm is a visual reminder of your motherhood intentions.
~Our Heart Swirl with Moonstone gemstone charm promotes love, including between quarelling lovers, and has long been used in dedication to the moon goddesses.
~A genuine rose quartz briolette gemstone is to promote the healing of broken hearts and increase the reception of love.
~A genuine blue chalcedony gemstone is to decrease negativity and depression and increase sleep and tranquility.

You may see this cute graphic on some of our products. With the summer in full swing and my four children out of school, I am trying to reschedule my hours working inside the studio. In an attempt to reduce my workload, I've chosen some of the more time consuming products to be "on vacation" until my work schedule resumes back to it's normal hours in September. You are still able to view these products and share the links with your friends, but you will not be able to place orders for them right now. Additionally, I will not be taking on any new custom design projects, aside from what's already listed on the website.

As always, thank you for your continued support of My Forever Child. We wish you a happy and safe summer!