Coming together to fight SIDS

We are proud to announce that over $100,000 has been raised and donated to SIDS research from our 2008 events.  We are honored to donate to the research efforts of Dr. Hannah Kinney at Boston Children's Hospital and Dr. Henry Krous of the San Diego SIDS/SUDC Research Project.  We are so thankful to everyone who made this contribution possible.

First Candle Press Release

Children's Hospital Press Release

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!

Our 2008 events in Los Angeles and Boston were amazingly successful and we sincerely thank each and everyone of you for your incredible support and generosity in raising money for SIDS research.

We are pleased to announce the date of our 2nd Annual Night out for SIDS Research on September 18, 2009 at St. John's Church in Cambridge.  More info on this event and other exciting to follow shortly.

Jason and Melissa Cherella