Montclair resident, Laura Crandall, has made the "top 10" final cut for Glamour Magazine's "Woman of the Year." Ten years ago, Laura suffered the inexplicable and tragic loss of her daughter at age 15 months. Laura embarked on a quest to find out what happened... Husband Josh tells part of her story:
Maria was 15 months old...and fell outside of the traditional definition of SIDS (up to 1 year of age). Laura wanted to see what could be done so that it does not happen to others.
She has done amazing things in previously-unrecognized domain, for example, she created new programs for support (Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood Program), research and advocacy - including nation-leading legislation right here in NJ. She's been chosen for the competition out of hundreds of women across the country...Beside the fact that the award will recognize her for all of her fantastic-ness, it would mean amazing exposure for the SUDC Program and for the CJ Foundation for SIDS. The voting is on-line...so I'd love you help in making her #1!
Read more about Laura's nomination and her story here.
And if her husband's name sounds familiar...it is. He's Conductor Josh of CleverCommute, who reduces the angst for Baristaville commuters every day.
"...You should also know that we have gone on to have 3 more daughters (now 5,7 and 9). To them and me, she IS "Woman of the year"...every year," writes Josh.
Congratulations, and good luck Laura!
Comments (7)
Aw, that's nice. Congratulations Laura, and you too, Conductor Josh.
I am writing to ask each of you to go to http://www.glamour.com/news/sweeps/woman_of_year/entry/long/ and place your vote for Laura Crandall. Laura’s daughter Maria passed away in July of 1997 while taking a nap. Two years later her death was ruled Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood.
I am a Cedar Grove resident (formerly of Verona) and suffered a similar loss in 2003. With nowhere to turn and no one to talk to that truly understood Laura literally took me by the hand and walked with me through my grief. She was a light at the end of a very dark tunnel.
My family is not the only one to receive the benefit of someone like Laura Crandall. Laura co-founded The SUDC Program with another SUDC parent. The program, part of the CJ Foundation for SIDS, offers support to families, raises public awareness about SUDC and raises funds for research. The program has helped more than 270 families affected by SUDC since 2001
So won’t you please help me return an ounce of the kindness she has given so many others by nominating her? You are able to vote every day. Please send this on to anyone and everyone you know! Thank you for taking the time to help raise awareness for SUDC by voting for Laura Crandall.
heartbreaking story~laura has turned her personal tragedy into something positive~ i just voted for her.
heartbreaking story~laura has turned her personal tragedy into something positive~ i just voted for her.
heartbreaking story~laura has turned her personal tragedy into something positive~ i just voted for her.
did you vote 3 times?
Thank you everyone who voted. Laura has made it into the next round of voting. The field has been narrowed down to 5.
Please continue to vote. If Laura won this, the amount of awareness that this would raise for SUDC would be immeasurable.
Lorri Caffrey