Fundraiser for Sudden Unexplained Death in Children: 'A Day of Music for Casey'

On June 3, 2011, a Park Slope family lived their worst nightmare: their 21-month-old daughter, Casey Young, was found dead in her crib.

Casey did not have a disease, nor was she terribly sick. She died from SUDC, or Sudden Unexplained Death in Children.

Ellen Young, Casey’s mother and long-time Park Slope resident, told Park Slope Parents about her last memory of Casey. 

“On the morning of June 3, Casey (21 months) had woken up with a slight fever. She had not slept well the night before but as the day wore on, she was feeling better, eating a small lunch and spending some time playing with her grandpa,” Ellen Young told Park Slope Parents.

“As she went down for her nap, she sat in her crib, cuddled her elephant, looked at me and said ‘night-night’ and put her head down as always. ‘Love you, sweet dreams,’ I replied as always. Casey never woke up from that nap,” said Young.

After Casey’s death, Ellen, husband and father Jonathan and their other daughter Jordan, created The Casey Young Foundation in her honor and to help raise awareness and money for The SUDC Organization.

Proceeds raised by the foundation will benefit The SUDC organization and will also be used to create scholarships in the arts for toddlers and their families who might not otherwise have the opportunity.

SUDC is rare, only 1.2 deaths per 100,000 children, but it usually occurs in children over the age of 12 months. SUDC is diagnosed when all other causes of death have been ruled out, like Casey’s, and unfortunately has no known cure yet.

On Sunday, April 29, help spread awareness and raise money for the The Casey Young Foundation during the fundraiser, “A Day of Music for Casey.” The event is the first official fundraiser for the not-for-profit.

“A Day of Music for Casey” will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. at the ballroom at on Eighth Avenue and Garfield Place. 

Tickets cost $50 for adults and $25 for children 18 and under. To buy a ticket, go online here: http://dayofmusicforcasey.ticketbud.com/2012.

For more information on Casey and The Casey Young Foundation, go to: www.rememberingcasey.com. 

The fundraiser will feature family-friendly bands, food, drink, a bake sale held by Casey’s sister Jordan, karaoke and a silent auction.

There will also be a raffle for a grand prize for a five-night vacation at the Villa Mistral on the island of St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands. It includes a stay in a five-bedroom suite; stay is valid through the May 1 to Dec. 9.