Joy and hope have returned to the lives of a heartbroken Victorian couple who were devastated by the loss their first-born baby. (Herald Sun article, 24th June 2012)

Robert and Kylie Trewin with ChelseaKylie and Robert Trewin are cherishing every moment with daughter Chelsea after son Cooper died aged 16 months from sudden and unexplained death in childhood (SUDC).

The rare condition causes death mainly in one to five-year-olds.

“We were absolutely devastated, it’s one thing to lose your child, another to lose your perfectly healthy baby without warning and for no reason,” Mr Trewin said.

But the birth of chatterbox Chelsea has filled them with love and given them renewed purpose.

“People tell us she’s a little pink version of Cooper,” Mrs Trewin said. “She gives us so many kisses and cuddles, she just spoils us.”

And they are optimistic as the fund set up in Cooper’s honour has raised almost $100,000 to pay for an international research partnership into SUDC.

Researchers from Boston Children’s Hospital in the US and Melbourne’s Florey Neuroscience Institute will collaborate on the project.

“If we could save just one other family from going through this, it will be worth it,” Mrs Trewin said.

They fear they will lose Chelsea, who will be 16 months in two weeks. A respiratory monitor and camera are used around the clock.

“Once we get her past that point, I think it will really help us cope,” Mrs Trewin said.

They hope researchers will uncover SUDC triggers, save lives and reduce uncertainty for parents.

To donate to SUDC and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), visit rednoseday.com.au or the Cooper Trewin Memorial SUDC Research Fund