Join Team Lucas

Lucas James Arconati
2007/04/26 - 2007/09/02

I need your attention for a minute. But first have a quick look at my handsome son’s photo...

Lucas James Arconati - He sure is a cutie, isn’t he? As a proud father, I am obliged to tell you more about him while I have your attention. But before I do that, I want to tell you about a really good cause of which I am a big fan. You can support this cause with either your time OR give financially, but I’d be almost as happy just to raise your awareness a bit and answer any questions you might have. I’ll warn you that some of what you are about to read may be tough to process at first, but it’s something I’ve lived with for a while now.

Every year, several thousand infants die tragically and without warning of a mysterious and largely unexplained cause. Known as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, the causes of SIDS is unknown. To compound the grief of the parents, SIDS is the sudden death of an infant that is not predicted by medical history and is not explained even after a thorough forensic investigation. The family is left with no answers. Their otherwise healthy baby stops breathing while sleeping and exhibits no signs of having suffered or struggled.

As you may know, any sort of grief is a long and difficult process. But for a parent that has lost a child for any reason, the grief takes on a new dimension that seems insurmountable. In the case of an infant that has died of SIDS, the family is left with the unanswerable question of WHY.

Support SIDS Resources - Fight Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Here in St. Louis, there is an organization that helps families who are dealing with this grief as well as educating the community on methods to reduce the risks of SIDS through safe sleep practices. SIDS Resources is a non-profit organization that relies solely on donations and grants/gifts from companies and individuals to provide these services to Missouri families. This Saturday, May 4^th, they are holding their 6^th annual Strides for SIDS 5k Run / 1 Mile Walk in Carondelet Park. This is a major fundraising event for the organization and also a time for families to commemorate the children they’ve lost.

In honor of my son Lucas, my family and I have created TEAM LUCAS and will be walking on Saturday. Our goal is to raise funds through participant registrations in the run/walk as well as through individual donations. I encourage anyone who would like to register OR donate to go to Strides for SIDS directly. Or go to FirstGiving.com and search for “strides for SIDS”. You can also go to Team Lucas to donate directly on our team page, and all funds go directly to SIDS Resources.

In helping out SIDS Resources you are supporting the mission to promote safe sleep practices and to provide bereavement support for families who have lost babies. Give Because One is Too Many.

Thank you!

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If you have questions, please feel comfortable enough to ask me anything; about Lucas, SIDS, our experience, how I dealt with this loss, or anything else.