Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Network's Electronic Newsletter, Reaching Out, Issue 9803 March 28, 1998

Contents:

1. SIDS Network Web Site Visits Exceed 1 Million
2. Increased Interest in SIDS-related Chats
3. Latest Research Information Available
4. Launching SIDS Network's "Project Outreach (sm)"

1. SIDS Network Web Site Visits Exceed 1 Million

The SIDS Network's SIDS/OID Information Web Site was launched July 4, 1995. At the time, the web site was basically the electronic version of the SIDS Network brochure and 4-page newsletter. The SIDS Network recognized that the Internet had the potential to help provide support and education in a way that would help close the gap between needs and available, conventional resources.

During the first year, the SIDS/OID Information web site was being visited about 5,000 times each month. The web site grew during that time to meet the needs of the community, families, and the general public. Some of the additions made during that first year included:

- SIDS Listserver Discussion area, managed by Ned Balzer <http://www.netw.com/~balzer/>
- Infant Loss Discussion area, managed by Jan Estes <http://sids-network.org/pilmlst.htm>
- Pictures of Love, managed Steve Ruggiero <http://sids-network.org/pictures.htm>
- FAQ for Experts and Professionals, initiated by Dr. John Carroll and supported by Dr. Joseph DeCristofaro, Dr. Thomas Keens, Dr. Michael Witman, Dr. Carl Hunt, Dr. Henry Krous, Dr. Stuart Tomares, Dr Karen Sibert, as well as other professionals <http://sids-network.org/experts.htm>

Presentations about the SIDS Information Web Site were made at the 4th International SIDS Conference in Washington DC in June 1996. You can read more about that at <http://sids-network.org/world.htm>.

Since then, the web site continued to grow. There now are over 1,000 files containing over 3,000 pages of text and more is added daily. The web site now averages over 3,400 visits each and every day. Around 10 PM (EST) on Saturday March 14, 1998, the one-millionth visit occurred.

The SIDS Network's web site is recognized as the premier source of SIDS information and support in the world. You can see the recognition page at <http://sids-network.org/recognition.htm>.

2. Increased Interest in SIDS-related Chats

The energies of a few individuals have channeled themselves in a direction that is helping more people who are seeking support in the forum of Internet Chats. The chats that we know of are:

- General SIDS Parent Chat (Tricia Percy)
- Wednesday SIDS Chats (Tricia Percy)
- Grandparents Saturday Chats (Bunnie Roberts)
- Open SIDS Chats (Beth Leathers)
- Friday Chats on AOL (Lisa Sculley/Debbie Gemmill

You can read more about those chats at <http://sids-network.org/chat.htm>.

3. Latest Research Information Available

A number of media articles periodically hit the news regarding SIDS. The news usually refers to research and study results. The public has been on an information roller coaster, the result of an explosion of medical reports, each heralding a "breakthrough in SIDS research." We all need to help people separate myth from fact and risk factor from cause. The SIDS Network will post information to the SIDS/OID Information Web Site, as it becomes available.

Please keep the following in mind:

- When it comes to media coverage of SIDS, all of us often feel a sense of frustration in being confronted with misleading headlines, announcements of so-called breakthroughs and statements taken out of context.

- Please read the article, "Mass Media's" Role in SIDS Education, at <http://sids-network.org/media.htm>.

- Try to seek out the source documents.

The SIDS Network gathers information about specific research and will keep you updated by a direct link on the SIDS Network home page <http://sids-network.org/> and on the "FAQ for Experts and Professionals" page at <http://sids-network.org/experts.htm>.

Recent media attention pertains to air travel and SIDS. The source document for the news surrounding this topic is the March 21, 1998 edition of the British Medical Journal. You can read more about this topic at <http://sids-network.org/air_travel.htm>.

Other Recent media attention pertains to simultaneous SIDS and Twins. You can read more about this topic at <http://sids-network.org/simultaneous.htm>.

Previous media attention surrounded abuse and SIDS. You can read more about this topic at <http://sids-network.org/abuse.htm>.

4. Launching SIDS Network's "Project Outreach (sm)"

A growing number of individuals and families are turning to the Internet to seek support and information about SIDS everyday.

To help provide under served families with the support and information they need, the SIDS Network has initiated a pilot program, untitled "Project Outreach (sm)."

The first step in this project is to make the "SIDS Survival Guide" available to these individuals and families. This portion of "Project Outreach (sm)" is a collaborative effort with SIDS Educational Services, producers of the "SIDS Survival Guide." The SIDS Network and SIDS Educational Services would welcome additional volunteer and/or financial support from other interested individuals, families, organizations, businesses and corporations.

Anyone interested in providing volunteer or financial support, please contact us at <sidsnet1-at-sids-network-dot-org>. Ideas, suggestions, volunteers, and donations are welcome and greatly needed to make "Project Outreach (sm)" a success.

Donations can be mailed to:

SIDS Network "Project Outreach (sm)"
PO Box 267
Ledyard, CT 06339
USA

The SIDS Network can also be contacted at <sidsnet1-at-sids-network-dot-org>.

You have just finished reading the Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Network Electronic Newsletter. This newsletter is available on the Web site at: <http://sids-network.org/newsletter/>.

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