Greetings!
KID is delighted to present this year's Best Friend Award to Dr. Erin Mannen, whose infant sleep research led to policy change and has saved lives.
Dr. Mannen is an Assistant Professor and serves as the Director of the Boise Applied Biomechanics of Infants (BABI) Lab in the Department of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering at Boise State University in Idaho. Dr. Mannen’s BABI Lab team uses in vivo human motion experimental techniques to study how babies move and use their muscles in common positions and commercial products to understand the impacts on safety and musculoskeletal development.
Dr. Mannen was hired by the CPSC to conduct a study on the safety of inclined sleepers such as the recalled Rock 'n Play, and her research showed that inclined sleepers are scientifically unsafe for infant sleep. Her study led the CPSC to pass an infant sleep product rule that would essentially ban inclined sleepers from being made and led the U.S. House to pass a bill that would ban the products. Her passion for baby biomechanics was inspired by her own children, Jay (6) and Lucy (4).
Join us as we honor Dr. Mannen for her groundbreaking research and commitment to children's product safety. We welcome our vaccinated guests to join us in person at the Gleacher Center in Chicago. The event will also be live-streamed for those who want to join the fun from home.
Date: Wednesday, September 29, 2021, from 6-8pm CT (virtual stream from 6:30-7:30pm CT)
Location: Gleacher Center (450 Cityfront Plaza Dr. 6th floor, Chicago, IL 60611) or virtual via YouTube.
Cost: $125/person for in-person event. A donation of $125 is appreciated for attending virtually. Donations of $500 or more will include a view-at-home package to enjoy the event at home.
Emceed by NBC 5 Chicago's Lisa Parker, this year’s BFA Night will feature a fireside chat with Dr. Mannen, small bites and drinks from Wolfgang Puck Catering, silent auction, raffle packages and more. Raffle tickets are already on sale and bidding has started on our silent auction items including prizes such as a private tour for 6 at the Art Institute of Chicago, scotch tasting party for 6, a homemade Turano brick-oven pizza party for 8, and more.
