Viviennes Joy Foundation

Vivienne’s Joy Foundation was established in memory of Vivienne Claire Burgess, a vibrant and joyful girl who passed away at the age of three from Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood (SUDC). Our mission is to bring awareness to SUDC, support bereaved families, and bring joy to others. 

All donations during Give to the Max 2023 will go to support the 2024  SUDC Foundation Community retreat in Branson, MO.   This biannual retreat  allows SUDC families and community members to gather in person.  Our goal is to make this retreat financially accessible to all.  

During the last 6 years we have raised over $680,000 thanks to the support of amazing individuals like you!  

1. During 2018 we completed our first major initiative to redevelop the playground at Boyd Park in St Paul, MN.  Over 1000 volunteers came together during a week in September to build the playground.  
2. During 2019 we provided a $50,000 grant to the SUDC Foundation to sponsor the annual SUDC family retreat.  
3. In 2021 we provided a grant of $10,000 to support a groundbreaking research project through the SUDC Foundation which will examine grief responses and coping strategies of families affected by the sudden and unexpected death of a child. This study will fill a glaring gap in current bereavement research, which until now has only focused on parents who have lost an infant or child under the age of one.  
4. I’m 2022 we made a $25,000 grant to the SUDC Foundation to sponsor the annual SUDC Family retreat in Texas.   
5. In 2021 we also gave the gift of the new book “Unexplained Pediatric Deaths” to every Coroner and Medical Examiner in Minnesota.  This book offers the FIRST national consensus guidelines to fill crucial needs to help identify why these deaths occur and how to support families after these tragedies happen, and

We want to continue to support the SUDC Foundation in their support of families and their groundbreaking research.  

WE NEED YOUR GENEROUS SUPPORT TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN!!

Vivienne's Joy Foundation is a tax exempt organization and all donations are tax deductible. 

Thank you to all our supporters who help us continue Vivienne's legacy!

Vivienne's Joy Story