Vivienne's Joy Foundation is a charitable foundation dedicated to bringing awareness to Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood, supporting other bereaved families and bringing joy to others.
About Vivienne
Vivienne Claire Burgess was born on November 10, 2013. Vivienne was a joyful child that brought smiles and joy to so many people who knew her.
She loved books, spending time with her big sister, Elianna, and playing with her friends at school. On November 12, 2016, our lives changed forever.
After a fun Saturday celebrating our daughter Vivienne's 3rd birthday my husband, Wade, put her to bed just like every other night. About a half hour later I went in to check on her and give her a final goodnight kiss and found her not breathing. and unresponsive.
I frantically tried to resuscitate Vivie until the the EMS arrived who were able regain a heartbeat. Vivienne was then rushed to Childrens hospital and put on life support.
After exhausting all avenues to save her life, she was taken off of life support the next day as we lay next to her. Vivie's cause of death remains unknown and has been deemed Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood (SUDC).
As we navigate this new world with Ellie we are desperate to find meaning and ensure we help others in Vivie's memory. VIvienne's Joy Foundation was established to meet this goal.
The Foundation
Our Story
"When asked, 'What do you think we should name the foundation?' The first and only thing that came to mind, Vivienne's Joy."
Vivienne's short and vibrant life has inspired the establishment of the Vivienne’s Joy Foundation – a charitable foundation dedicated to bringing awareness to Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood, supporting other bereaved parents and bringing joy to others. The foundation was founded in March 2017.
Our accomplishments include:
✨Completion of Vivie's Playground in 2019
✨Lead sponsor of the annual SUDC Family Retreat
✨Funded weekend meals for 25 families during the 2019/2020 school year
✨Donation of You are the Mother of All Mothers to all newly bereaved SUDC mothers registered with the SUDC Foundation
Our ongoing Initiative is to make the SUDC Foundation’s Family Retreat accessible to all. This critical and restorative event is the first-of-its-kind for SUDC families from all over the country to come together with others who know their unique grief. The retreat features opportunities to empower bereaved families with innovative ways to cope with grief, as well as therapeutic play sessions for children who have lost a sibling. The retreat offers parents and families a weekend of respite and culminates with a celebration of all the young lives lost too soon.
