The Hayes Hitzeman Foundation will make every effort to keep you informed. Please read the articles below for more information about our efforts and others efforts in the community and nationwide

Winter 2008

"Giving Back" Work Magazine

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November 2007

"Stevie Award Winner" Richmond Times Dispatch

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September 2007

"SIDS Ball Adds Roman Flair" Richmond Times Dispatch

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August 2007

Hayes Hitzeman Foundation Event Release

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January 2007

Richmond Times Dispatch Metro Business: From Son's Tragedy, Parents Embark on a Safety Mission

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November 2006
Ukrops Go to Market: The Hayes Hitzeman Foundation-Richmond's Own Crusader Against SIDS

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Winter 2006
R Health: This Side Up Launched

The foundation recently launched the This Side Up Campaign.

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October 31, 2006
Study: Brain stem defects may cause SIDS

CHICAGO, Illinois (AP)—In a small study with big implications, researchers found some of the strongest evidence yet that sudden infant death syndrome -- a medical and sometimes legal mystery once known as crib death -- may be caused by brain stem abnormalities.

The finding "takes the mystery away from SIDS," said Marian Willinger, a SIDS researcher at the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, which funded the study. "It should take the guilt away from any parent who has lost a baby because they always wonder, `What did I do wrong?' Now, they need to really understand, 'My baby had a disease.'"

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October 31, 2006
Brain abnormality tied to sudden infant death

CHICAGO, Illinois (Reuters)—An abnormality in part of the brain that controls breathing, arousal and other reflexes may be what causes Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, a finding that could lead to a preventive treatment, a study said on Tuesday.

The discovery could explain why babies lying face down are more likely to die, because in that position an infant's reflexes, including head turning and arousal, are harder to trigger when breathing is challenged, the report from Children's Hospital Boston and Harvard Medical School said.

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Summer, 2006
Short Pump Life: This Side Up Raises Awareness for SIDS

Hayes Hitzeman was four and a half months old when his mother, Kyra Oliver, received the phone call that her son had died one summer afternoon in 2002. He died from SIDS. (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).
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May 6, 2006
“Technology Awards Gala May 17, 2006 -Richmond Marriott 2006 Finalists

Oliver Creative has been named a finalist for the Greater Richmond Technology Council Awards Gala to be held May 17, 2006. The award that Oliver Creative is up for is the SMARTBOX Portable Storage’s Community Support Award. Click her to download more information.
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March 19, 2006
“It’s Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, Baby” State of the Art Ball to be Held on September 16, 2006!

The Hayes Hitzeman Foundation is planning the 5th Annual State of the Art Ball to be held on September 16th, 2006 at the Science Museum of Virginia. The theme of the event is “It’s Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, Baby!” The evening will start with a silent auction, cocktails and passed hors d'oeuvres. Then guests will be entertained while having dinner with an 11 piece swing band, The Kings of Swing, and a live auction. There will be lots of surprises throughout the entire evening. For more information click here>>

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March 19, 2006
The Hayes Hitzeman Foundation launches the This Side Up…while sleeping campaign March 29!

The This Side Up…while sleeping campaign is an educational effort that seeks to raise awareness of SIDS and SIDS prevention. At its core, the campaign strives to educate parents that the safest way for their babies to sleep is on their back. Click here for the full story>>

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The Hayes Hitzeman Foundation in the News

Like many parents who lose their children to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, Ezra and Kyra Oliver Hitzeman didn't know of the lack of information about SIDS prevention until it was too late.

So four days after the death of their son Oliver "Hayes" Hitzeman in June 2002, the Richmond couple established the Hayes Hitzeman Foundation to raise money for SIDS education and research.

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New Steps may help stop SIDS

“…Although the death rate from SIDS has fallen in recent years, SIDS remains the leading cause of death of infants ages 1 month to 1 year in the U.S., and the nation's largest professional organization of pediatricians believes new tactics are needed to fight it.”

Among the recommendations, which update the academy's 2000 guidelines:

• Parents should consider offering, but not forcing, a pacifier at nap time and bedtime throughout the first year. (Pacifier use beyond the first year is not recommended because it may increase risks for teeth misalignment.)
• Babies should sleep in their parents' room, but never in the same bed.
• Infants should sleep on their backs and not on their sides or stomachs.
• Babies should sleep on a firm mattress, covered by a sheet but no loose bedding.
• Mothers should not smoke during pregnancy. Also, infants should not be exposed to second-hand smoke for numerous reasons in addition to SIDS risk.
• Infants should be lightly clothed for sleep to avoid overheating.
• Parents should not rely on home monitors as a strategy to reduce the risk of SIDS.
• To avoid development of a flattened back to their head, babies should get "tummy time" during waking hours.

To read entire article click here >>

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America's Top 100 Charities
December 2002, Worth Magazine

March of Dimes Named by Worth Magazine as a Top Charity for
Second Consecutive Year
Magazine Singles Out March of Dimes as a leading U.S. Health Charity

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., DECEMBER 20, 2002 - For the second consecutive year, the March of Dimes has been named one of the nation's top charities in Worth Magazine's annual "America's 100 Best Charities" issue.

Citing March of Dimes' successful efforts in expanding newborn screening programs and investing in research to fight birth defects, Worth Magazine said in its December/January 2003 issue, "The March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation is all about healthy babies.''

The March of Dimes was only one of 13 health charities singled out for this honor. The organization joins a select few national charities that have now been honored two consecutive years.

In singling out the top charities, Worth notes, "The United States has more than 800,000 public charities, all trying in their own way to make a difference. We set out to find the 100 nonprofits that have had the biggest impact and see how those groups spend the money you invest in them.'' In addition to health charities, charities in environment, relief and development, human services, education and the arts were also chosen on a broad base of criteria, from flow-through of funds directly to programs to efficiency and expert testimony.

"We are proud and honored to have been named as one of the top 100 charities in the country - again - by Worth Magazine,'' said Dr. Jennifer L. Howse, president of the March of Dimes. "The March of Dimes is and always will be committed to tackling issues dealing with maternal and infant health.''

The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects and infant mortality. Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes funds programs of research, community services, education, and advocacy to save babies. For more information, visit the March of Dimes Web site at www.marchofdimes.com, its Spanish web site at www.nacersano.org or call 1-888-MODIMES. For more information on the annual March of Dimes WalkAmerica, visit the Web site at www.walkamerica.org.

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Hayes Hitzeman Foundation Joins With March of Dimes For Public Awareness Program

RICHMOND, VA., DECEMBER 12, 2002- The Hayes Hitzeman Foundation has joined with the March of Dimes to promote research and education of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) prevention. Although the exact cause
of SIDS has not been identified, studies have shown that SIDS can be significantly reduced if parents and caretakers are more aware of the potential dangers to their children and better informed about guidelines that may help reduce the risk of SIDS.

"We're so excited to team up with the March of Dimes because we support their work and feel this is a natural partnership that will promote prevention guidelines," said Kyra Oliver Hitzeman, Executive Director of the Hayes Hitzeman Foundation. "Plus, new partnerships are the tools we need to continue the dramatic success we have witnessed with other SIDS education and research efforts in the past."

SIDS is the number one cause of death of infants from one month to one year of age, compared to all other deaths combined. It is a diagnosis that is made only after a death of an infant and when all other possible causes of death have been ruled out by a complete investigation and autopsy. For babies under 12 months, The Hayes Hitzeman Foundation and the March of Dimes recommend the following guidelines to help reduce the risk of SIDS:

• Place your baby on his/her back to sleep at night and naptime.
• Use a firm mattress in a safety-approved crib
• Eliminate fluffy, loose bedding from your baby's sleep area.
• Keep your baby's face clear of coverings, such as pillows, blankets and toys.
• Be careful not to let your baby become overheated.
• Don't allow anyone to smoke around your baby.
• Educate babysitters, day care providers, grandparents and anyone who cares for your baby about SIDS risks.
  

The Hayes Hitzeman Foundation was founded on June 15, 2002 by Kyra Oliver Hitzeman and her husband, Ezra Hitzeman, in honor of their 4½-month-old son, who died of SIDS on June 11, 2002. The Foundation works to award grants for SIDS research, support services and public awareness programs. Through its annual Silent Auction and support of friends, family and corporate donors, the Hayes Hitzeman Foundation has raised more than $30,000 since June of this year. For more information about the Hayes Hitzeman Foundation, call 804.708.0035 or visit their website at www.hayeshitzemanfoundation.org.

The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects and infant mortality. Founded in 1938, the organization funds programs of research, community services, education and advocacy to save babies lives. Information can be found on its web site at www.marchofdimes.com or by calling toll free 1-888-MODIMES.

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America's Top 100 Charities
By Reshma Memon Yaqub December 2002, Worth Magazine

The March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation is all about healthy babies.

The March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation is all about healthy babies. Last year, it funded $26.5 million for research into birth defects and also provided its usual potent mix of community services, education, and advocacy. Next month, the March of Dimes will debut a $75 million Prematurity Prevention campaign, with the goal of reducing premature births by 15 percent in five years. It has begun a program to help states expand their newborn screening programs. Through a pilot program, it also helps parents with babies in neonatal intensive care. Click here for more information about how Worth Magazine selects the top charities.

ANNUAL REVENUE $217.9 million
888-663-4637
www.marchofdimes.com

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Abstract #39670
Pediatric nurse practitioners' support of the "Back to Sleep" campaign: Factors affecting their practice

Bridgewater, SD., November 11, 2002

Georgia L. Heiberger, EdD, MSN, PNP, Rutgers University, PO Box 107, Bridgewater, SD 57319, 303-948-5712, glahei@usa.net

The purpose of this presentation is to explore the impact of the "Back-to-Sleep" campaign upon the health promotion activities of pediatric nurse practitioners. A descriptive, exploratory study utilizing a convenience sample of 347 pediatric nurse practitioners living in the mid-Atlantic region was completed in 2001. The "Back-to-Sleep" campaign (Malloy, 1998) was used as the framework within which to discover answers about the personal, educational and experiential factors that could be found in pediatric nurse practitioners who incorporate new health-care information into their practices. Pediatric nurse practitioners in the study received a questionnaire that asked about their practice settings and caregiving behaviors, as well as demographic data. Respondents showed high levels of awareness of and agreement with new information in the prevention of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. In addition, they described teaching activities through which they enabled their clients to increase their knowledge about pediatric health care. Chi-square testing indicated associations between awareness of new information, agreement with this information, and the transmission of this information to clients by the nurse practitioners. Willingness of pediatric nurse practitioners to promote new information was not dependent upon their ages, educational experiences, or years of employment. Pediatric nurse practitioners who were most likely to incorporate recent discoveries into their practices were those who had the greatest agreement with the results of the discoveries. The outcomes of the study enhance understanding of the ways in which pediatric nurse practitioners accept relevant new knowledge and inform parents of this information.
Learning Objectives: 1. Participants will identify the infants most at risk of succumbing to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. 2. Participants will describe the impact of the "Back-to-Sleep" campaign upon the SIDS rate in the United States during the 1990s. 3. Participants will discuss the methods used by pediatric nurse practitioners in implementing SIDS prevention strategies.

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