Coming together to fight SIDS

What We Do

We created the Marley Jaye Cherella Memorial Fund at First Candle to honor our beautiful daughter and all funds raised will go to SIDS research so that all babies survive and thrive.

First Candle is a national nonprofit health organization uniting parents, caregivers and researchers nationwide with government, business and community service groups to advance infant health and survival.  With help from a national network of member and partner organizations, we are working to increase public participation and support in the fight against infant mortality.

First Candle is tax exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code and has been recognized as one of the top fifteen children's charities in America and as a "little charity that does big things" by Parenting and Parents magazines.  Most recently, Worth Magazine named First Candle one of the nation's top 100 charities worth of donor support.

On February 22, 2008, our family suffered the most horrific tragedy when our beautiful baby girl, Marley, never woke up from her afternoon nap at daycare.  Marley was always a happy baby and brightened each day with her smile.  We will miss her and love her every day!

We have 2 events scheduled for September - one in the Boston area and one in the Los Angeles area - to raise funds for SIDS research and we sincerely thank everyone for their love, support, and generosity.

Jason and Melissa Cherella

Upcoming Events:

September 12 - Boston, MA - all tickets are sold out

September 22 - Los Angeles, CA