October 10, 2024, Press Release from by Grand Lake Health System: Helping to educate the community about Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and the ways to help prevent SIDS is the main focus for the Grand Lake Health Systems annual 5K run-walk that is being held this weekend, Saturday, October 12th, at Mill Park Shelter House.
When Landen Philpot passed away at less than three months of age from SIDS, his family would have no idea how his short time on Earth would help to provide education and scholarship opportunities for so many in the community. The SIDS Awareness 5K was started to honor Landen, whose father was an employee of Joint Township District Memorial Hospital at the time of Landen’s passing. Employees wanted a way to honor Landen and provide valuable education about SIDS to the community.
SIDS is the unexpected death of a baby under one year old, usually during sleep. As part of the SIDS Awareness 5K Run-Walk, signs are posted on ways to help prevent SIDS, such as: placing your baby on its back to sleep, making sure your baby sleeps in their own crib or bassinet, avoid smoking, especially around your baby. Additionally, keeping your baby’s sleep space cool and free of any blankets or stuffed animals and breastfeeding your baby are additional ways to prevent SIDS. For more information and prevention of SIDS, visit: www.cpsc.gov/SafeSleep.
The SIDS Awareness 5K was held in May, around Landen’s birthday, but was moved this year to October to coincide with SIDS Awareness Month. This is a family-friendly event, and walkers and runners of every age are encouraged to participate. Participants can register at https://runsignup.com/Race/OH/SaintMarys/SIDSAwareness5k or same-day registration at 8 a.m. on Saturday, October 12th.
Proceeds from the event’s registration supports two Landen Philpot Nursing Scholarships. These scholarships are awarded to local students from the community, who are studying nursing with a focus on obstetrics or pediatrics.
For more information, contact the JTD Hospital Foundation office at 419-394-3387 ext. 3567 or visit: https://runsignup.com/Race/OH/SaintMarys/SIDSAwareness5k to register. Same-day registration is available. Registration starts at 8 a.m., race begins at 9 a.m. on Saturday, October 12th at Mill Park Shelter House (100 W. High Street) St. Marys.
