National "First Steps For SIDS" Video Campaign Launches Special Sweepstakes For Giving Tuesday

A bonus prize towards a 529 college fund contribution featured, in addition to existing campaign prizes sponsored by Alaska Airlines, Marriott Hotels and Microsoft

News provided by

Aaron Matthew SIDS Research Guild

Nov 27, 2018, 09:00 ET

SEATTLE, Nov. 27, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The American SIDS Institute and the Aaron Matthew SIDS Research Guild of Seattle Children's Hospital (the "Guild") online video campaign, "First Steps for SIDS," will feature a special prize for this year's Giving Tuesday: $500 towards a 529 college savings plan. This serves as a bonus drawing to existing sponsored prizes, including a trip to Disneyland.

"First Steps for SIDS" raises public awareness and funds to support research into the causes of, and ultimately preventative measures for, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), through an online video contest celebrating a child's momentous milestone.

"Most of these babies never get the chance to take their first steps," said Betty McEntire, PhD, CEO of the American SIDS Institute. "So, we're pleased to collaborate with the Guild on this public campaign to inspire compassion and action."

According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, SIDS remains the leading cause of death among children one month to one year old across all developed nations.

"On this international day of giving, we are pleased to offer a bonus prize to help parents save towards their child's future," said John Kahan, founder of the Aaron Matthew SIDS Research Guild of Seattle Children's Hospital. "First Steps for SIDS shines a light on a serious issue, one that is deeply close to my heart, while providing a fun platform to recognize a remarkable development in a child's life. One that we hope, through more sustained funding and critical research, can be celebrated by all parents by alleviating the pain around 'unexplained and unexpected infant deaths.'"

Kahan works at Microsoft, where he is Chief Data Analytics Officer for Corporate, External and Legal Affairs. His world-class team of data scientists have volunteered thousands of hours to Seattle Children's Integrative Brain Research Institute developing technology tools to aid SIDS research.

The contest

All parents and grandparents are encouraged to submit videos of their child's first steps on the "First Steps for SIDS" website. All visitors will be asked to make a $5 donation to vote on their favorite videos. One hundred percent of the proceeds will be used to support SIDS research. Voting ends on January 1, 2019.

Videos receiving the largest number of votes will be announced on January 15, 2019 and will be eligible for the following prizes:

Grand Prize

Courtesy of Marriott Hotels and Alaska Airlines, a trip for the winner and three additional guests to Disneyland that includes:

Four (4) round-trip tickets to Orange County from Alaska Airlines
Four (4) passes to Disneyland
Two (2) nights at the Anaheim Marriott

First Place winner will receive a Microsoft Surface computer.
Second Place winners will both receive an Xbox One.
Third Place winners will both receive an REI co-op bike, courtesy of a gift from private individual donors.

"We are deeply thankful to Alaska Airlines, Marriott Hotels, Microsoft, Tata Consultancy Services, WE Communications and to kind private donors for their generous donations toward the success of the contest," added McEntire.

About American SIDS Institute
Founded in 1983, the American Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Institute, a national nonprofit health care organization, is dedicated to the prevention of sudden infant death and the promotion of infant health through an aggressive, comprehensive nationwide program of research, education and family support. Visit: https://sids.org/

About Aaron Matthew SIDS Research Guild
The Aaron Matthew SIDS Research Guild was established to fund much-needed research in this field at Seattle Children's Hospital Integrative Brain Research Institute (Seattle Children's). Researchers from Seattle Children's, New York University, Langone Medical Center, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, University of Virginia, University of Auckland and University of Bristol England are working on this terrible mystery. The guild was formed in 2017 and includes leaders from Accenture, Adobe, Marriott Hotels, Microsoft and Seattle Children's.

Donations to the Guild are matched up to 4 to 1. John and Heather Kahan will match donations up to $100,000. Their pledged gift will be matched with another $100,000 by the Jack R. MacDonald Research Fund at Seattle Children's Hospital. In addition, Microsoft matches up to $15,000, per employee, for each employee who contributes.
Visit: http://www.givetostopsids.org/

SOURCE Aaron Matthew SIDS Research Guild