Dan and I lost our son, Griffin, when he was just 51 days old. He was found unresponsive in his car seat, and despite CPR being administered and him being airlifted to Yale, we learned that the brain damage he had suffered was too severe for him to survive. We later discovered that he had a cyst at the back of his tongue, along with two respiratory viruses and an immature brain—circumstances that tragically created the perfect storm that closed his airway.
After Griffin passed, we found First Candle—a nonprofit organization dedicated to saving babies and supporting families like ours who have suffered unimaginable loss. In the midst of our grief, First Candle became a guiding light, offering resources, community, and a sense of purpose when we needed it most. Through them, we have found solace and a renewed commitment to giving back and helping others navigate this difficult path.
We hold on to the hope that by raising awareness and educating families about the risks of infant death, we can help spare others from experiencing the tremendous pain that we carry with us every single day. While nothing can erase the ache of losing Griffin, channeling our love for him into efforts that might save another baby’s life brings us comfort and meaning.
Beyond education and prevention, we know how vital it is for grieving families to have a safe space where they feel seen, supported, and understood. If we can offer that kind of comfort and connection to another family walking this path, it would be a profound honor. No two journeys of grief are exactly the same—some are winding and full of unexpected turns—but they are all marked by the shared heartache of losing a precious soul far too soon. In coming together, we hope to remind families that they are not alone and that there is hope, even in the darkest moments.
