Sharea Brehm’s 3-month-old son Aiden who passed away unexpectedly due to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

September 24th, 2002 was a normal morning for Sharea Brehm. It was her second day back to work after giving birth to her beautiful, healthy, three-month-old baby boy, Aidan. He was a happy, healthy baby who was nursed, put to sleep on his back and given a perfect start to life.
In a matter of hours, the most unimaginable happened. The sheriff’s department called her workplace and told her calmly that her little baby boy had been taken to St. Vincent’s Carmel hospital. The trip to the hospital became just a blur as her mind tried to handle what was wrong with her baby.
When she arrived, the doctors met her and sadly stated that they had done all that was possible but Aidan was gone …finding out later that his life was claimed by SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).
SIDS is the sudden, unexpected death of an apparently healthy infant under one year of age that remains unexplained after the performance of a complete postmortem investigation, including an autopsy, an examination of the scene of death and a review of the medical history. As a result of the national Back To Sleep campaign, SIDS rates have declined by more than 50%. Despite this success, SIDS remains the leading cause of death for infants one month to one year of age, continuing to claim the lives of approximately 2,300 babies each year.
At this time there is no known way to prevent SIDS, but there are steps parents and caregivers can take to reduce the risk of sudden infant death:

  • Place your baby on his or her back to sleep.
  • Do not smoke while you are pregnant and don’t let anyone smoke around your baby after they are born.
  • Use a safety-approved crib with a firm, tight-fitting mattress covered with only a sheet.
  • Remove all soft, fluffy or loose bedding and toys (including blankets, soft or fluffy bumpers and positioners).
  • Use a wearable blanket to replace loose blankets in your baby’s crib.
  • Use a pacifier.
  • Do not put your baby to sleep on any soft surface (sofas, chairs, water beds, quilts, blankets, sheepskins, etc.).
  • Room sharing is safer than bed sharing.
  • Do not dress your baby too warm for sleep; keep room temperature 68?- 72? F. Using a fan is encouraged.
  • Educate relatives, baby-sitters and other caregivers about these important safety tips.

“On June 21, 2003 which would have been Aidan’s one-year-old birthday, I held my very first charity event at Belzer Boy Scout Camp. I raised $20,000 that first year, and now look forward to what has become an annual event,” Brehm said. “Now, my three daughters, Nadia (9), Malia (6) and Kiera (5) join with me in remembering the big brother they love, but will never know.”
This year she joined forces with board members of the SIDS Center of Indiana to celebrate and remember their babys’ lives. The Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Center of Indiana is a non-profit organization and a resource center that supports parents, families and friends across the state whose lives are touched by SIDS.
So mark your calendars for October 13 and join them for the Angels’ Feast and Monte Carlo Night at the Broad Ripple K of C located at 2100 East 71st Street. Festivities start at 6:00 p.m. with appetizers, musical entertainment, adult beverages, and a silent auction sponsored by The Play School, Sports Graphics, Monarch Beverage and Sysco Foods.
For information about tickets, sponsorships, or donations, please call 317-513-3788 or email brewat@aol.com.

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