Leesburg Chapter
April 2009
There is a light . . .
“There is a light in this world, a healing spirit more
powerful than any darkness we may encounter. We
sometimes lose sight of this force when there is suffering,
and too much pain. Then suddenly, the spirit will emerge
through the lives of ordinary people who hear a call and
answer in extraordinary ways.” ~ Mother Teresa
Dear Leesburg Chapter members,
In 2004 I remember Rich and Lori Galloway asking for
someone to take over as editor of the newsletter. I was
less than one year into my grief but knew I wanted to
reach out to others in some capacity. Reading articles
and compiling the newsletter each month played an
enormous roll in my grieving process since the death of
our son in September 2003. After five years as editor, I
am now looking for someone new to step in. Please
consider volunteering for this very important part of our
chapter. The newsletter helps many who are unable to
make it to the monthly meetings. I will gladly help with
the transition.
Thank you,
~Theresa Heitz (theresaheitz@msn.com)
In loving memory of Adam
UPCOMING EVENT
Holiday Rondeau, a child psychologist and bereaved
parent, is scheduled to speak at our May meeting.
Please join us. Meeting information inside front cover.
You are always welcome to contact our chapter
leaders, Beverly and Bernie Elero, at 540-887-9707
or belero@aol.com.
We hope to be an ongoing source of support.
Our new members are:
Bob and Jeanne Caldwell
In loving memory of Mary Elizabeth
4/13 – 12/3
Tommy’s Run For a Reason
On Saturday, May 30th 2009, Andy and Beth
Marshall are hosting Tommy's Run For a Reason at
Algonkian Regional Park in Sterling, VA. The whole
family will enjoy a 5K Run or 2K Family Fitness Walk,
fun kids' activities, raffle, a silent auction, music and a
catered BBQ lunch.
They are hosting this event in honor of their son
Thomas, who passed away unexpectedly in May
2008. Tommy was a healthy, happy, beautiful 2-yearold
toddler. Andy and Beth were given no real
explanation as to what took their son's life. His
passing is not considered Sudden Infant Death
Syndrome (SIDS). Instead, it belongs to a lesserknown
category, “Sudden Unexplained Death In
Childhood (SUDC),” which occurs when an
apparently healthy child beyond the age of 12 months
dies without warning and without a known cause. The
SUDC Program is part of the CJ Foundation for
SIDS, a national non-profit organization leading the
fight against SIDS and SUDC. It is the only program
in the world devoted solely to supporting families
affected by SUDC and advocating for SUDC
research to find answers. While The SUDC Program
is making progress, much work remains ahead.
They hope by hosting Tommy's Run For A Reason
they can raise awareness and help put a stop to
SUDC.
Please visit www.run4tommy.com for event day
registration and details. It will be a fun-filled, family
event and they would love to see you
