Rosie’s walk : Stride for SUDC
By DR. FLORENCIA SEGURA MD, FAAP
In a community as close-knit and compassionate as McLean, stories of love, loss, and resilience resonate deeply. One such story is that of Rosalie Parisa Damavandy, affectionately known as “Baby Rosie.” A joyful, radiant little girl, Rosie lit up every room with her big blue eyes, easy laughter, and loving nature. Her name, meaning “beautiful little rose” in French and “angelic” in Farsi, perfectly reflected her gentle, spirited soul. On May 21, 2024, Rosie passed away suddenly and without warning at just 18 months old. Until that morning, she was a healthy, thriving toddler who loved to play, giggle, and snuggle with her parents, Drs. Florencia Segura and Al Damavandy, and her older siblings, Penny and George. Her death was ruled Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood (SUDC): a rare and devastating tragedy that claims the lives of approximately 500 children in the U.S. each year, typically between the ages of 1 and 4. Even after thorough autopsies and investigations, parents are left seeking answers. Most people, including many physicians, have never heard of SUDC. Rosie’s family is determined to change that. Florencia, a pediatrician, and Al, a dermatologist practicing in downtown McLean, are using their voices to raise awareness, drive research, and help prevent other families from experiencing the same unimaginable loss. Their newest initiative, Rosie’s Walk: Stride for SUDC, invites the McLean community to come together in love, remembrance, and action. Rosie’s Walk will take place on Saturday, May 17, 2025, from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM at Clemyjontri Park, one of Rosie’s favorite places to play. This family-friendly event will honor Rosie’s life while raising critical funds for the SUDC Foundation, the only organization in the world solely dedicated to supporting families, funding research, and raising awareness about SUDC. All of the Foundation’s services are provided at no cost to families. This will be a walk of remembrance, but also of resilience, unity, and hope. Proceeds will go directly to the SUDC Foundation to support lifesaving research and family support services. Join us to walk for every family still searching for “why.” Together, we can honor Rosie’s beautiful life and help build a future where no parent has to endure this pain without answers.
Register today at https://runsignup.com/Race/VA/ McLean/Rosies walk Learn more at LoveLikeRosie.org
