The Brady William Russell Memorial Fund Established at Stony Brook University Medical Center

.STONY BROOK, NY – Through the private support of the family and friends of Brady William Russell, and a $250,000 grant made possible through the leadership of New York State Senator John Flanagan, the Brady William Russell Memorial Fund has been established at Stony Brook University Medical Center. The fund will allow research into neonatal complications from high-risk pregnancies, premature birth and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

A presentation of the grant was made on, October 17th at SBUMC, attended by Senator Flanagan and the parents and family of Brady William Russell.

The fund is named after Brady William Russell, the third child and only son of Sean and Mary Ellen Russell born on January 26, 2006. Being six weeks premature and weighing over 10½ pounds, Brady faced respiratory, developed pneumonia and a respiratory virus. However, he fought courageously and after five weeks, he was scheduled to go home. Unfortunately, 10 days after returning home, Brady died of Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

“In his short life, Brady showed us what courage should mean,” said Sean Russell. “This fund has been created to honor our son and his brave struggle.”

SIDS is a complex, multifactoral disorder, the cause of which is not fully understood. It continues to be the most common cause of infant death, accounting for about 25 per cent of all deaths between one month and one year of age. The creation of the Brady Russell Memorial Fund and the establishment of “Brady’s Laboratory for the Neonate” will serve to advance the knowledge on SIDS and other neonatal complications. It will focus on research related to lung growth and development and their relationship to neonatal lung diseases.

“The Russell family and Senator Flanagan are to be commended for their insight and courage to learn more and help us tackle the painful result of neonatal respiratory illnesses,” said Richard N. Fine, M.D., Dean, Stony Brook University School of Medicine. “As the research reveals more about SIDS and other respiratory issues, we hope to better understand and therefore equipped to enhance healthy lung development in the neonate.”

All directed gifts to the Russell Fund will support clinical and basic research on high-risk pregnancy, premature births, and SIDS, as well as support lectures within the Medical Center, and community outreach activities to raise awareness.

Picture - From left, Janet Larson, M.D., J. Craig Cohen, Ph.D., Michael Russell, Senator John Flanagan, Richard N. Fine, M.D., Sean M. Russell, Mary Ellen Russell, J. Gerald Quirk, M.D., President Shirley Strum Kenny at the Brady William Russell Memorial Fund announcement ceremony.