Local couple establishes race to benefit infant health
By Sylvie Belmond belmond@theacorn.com

MEMORIAL—Katie and Andy Lutz of Moorpark lost their baby son, Jason, above, to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome when he was 4 months old last March. The couple is organizing a benefit, Jason's Race, scheduled for Oct. 12 in Westlake Village, to raise awareness about the syndrome. Proceeds will benefit SIDS research through the Jason Lutz Memorial Fund at First Candle, a national nonprofit organization that promotes infant health and survival. In Ventura County, 36 babies have died of SIDS in the last six years.

To commemorate the life of their infant son, Jason, who died from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome when he was 4 months old, Katie and Andy Lutz will host Jason's Race, an October benefit to raise funds and awareness about the syndrome.

SIDS is the sudden, unexplained cessation of breathing, almost always during sleep, of an apparently healthy infant. It claims the lives of more than 2,100 under the age of 1 in the U.S. each year.

"Jason's Race helps us feel that we are doing something to honor the little boy we lost so young," Katie Lutz said. The couple has a 4-year-old son, Aidan.

The Lutzes, who live in Moorpark, decided to host the event in Westlake Village because they grew up in Agoura Hills and still have strong ties to the Conejo Valley, they said. The event will be cohosted by Katie Lutz's sister, Kimberly Erwin, a Calabasas resident.

Jason was born on Nov. 7, 2007 and died during his morning nap on March 11, 2008.

He was a vivacious and healthy baby, said his mother. "Nobody ever imagines that something as horrible and unexpected as this could ever happen to them, but as our family learned, it can happen to anyone," she said.

"The hardest part of dealing with the loss has been not understanding why it happened," Katie Lutz said.

Although some risk factors for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome have been identified, the causes remain unknown, she said. "Several theories exist, but none have been proven."

SIDS is the leading cause of death for infants 1 month to 1 year old and mostly affects babies between the ages of 1 and 4 months.

Two other babies died from SIDS in Ventura County this spring, said Lutz, one of them in Oxnard the day before Jason.

According to Diana Grill, an epidemiologist for the Ventura County Health Department, 30 SIDS deaths were recorded in the county between 2003 and 2007, including a spike of 10 in 2004, she said.

"So far this year's we've had six infant deaths in the county," said Diana Bock, SIDS coordinator for Ventura County.

The county offers SIDS prevention services for child caregivers, healthcare educators, healthcare providers and any interested community groups involved with infants.

Support services are also available for families as well as childcare and healthcare providers who've been affected by the death of a baby from SIDS, Bock said. Families who have lost a child to the syndrome may contact her at (805) 654-7614 to set up a meeting if they wish.

The Lutz family hopes Jason's Race will help to spare at least one family from the devastation of losing a child, they said.

The 5K run/walk and 25-yard kids "Mad Dash" event is scheduled to take place at Berniece Bennett Park in Westlake Village on Sun., Oct. 12.

Raffle tickets will be given for every $50 donation, with a limit of five per person. Prizes include goods and services provided by local businesses.

All proceeds from the event will benefit SIDS research through the Jason Lutz Memorial Fund at First Candle, which is associated with First Candle/ SIDS Alliance, a national nonprofit organization that promotes infant health and survival during the prenatal period through age 2.

The organization is involved in SIDS research and education and provides bereavement support to those affected by an infant's death.

"First Candle extends our appreciation to Katie and Andy Lutz and Kimberly Erwin for their efforts to help babies survive and thrive," said Laura Reno, director of public affairs for First Candle. "The proceeds of Jason's Race will support our highly merited SIDS research program and in that regard, will offer hope for those affected by an infant death."

To sign up for the race, visit www.JasonsRace.com. For more information on SIDS, visit www.FirstCandle.org.