To help prevent Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood from affecting any other family by supporting research, awareness, and advocacy.
To bring music education to toddlers and their families, who otherwise would be unable to have access to local enrichment programs.
The Zaido Foundation was started in 2016 in honor of Zaid Nesheiwat, who passed away from SUDC (Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood) in May, 2016 at 28 months old. The foundation was founded by Zaid’s parents, Sharif and Sarah Nesheiwat, and his beloved grandmother, “Mimi” Denise Kelly. Zaid’s nickname for himself was “Zaido,” which inspired the name of the foundation. In Arabic, the name Zaid means, “One who brings prosperity to others.” Zaid brought “more-ness” with him everywhere he went, and to every person he met. He was wise beyond his too-short years, and had a personality that was larger than life. It is the foundation’s goal to continue Zaid’s legacy of doing more, giving more, and being more, in order to improve the lives of others.
Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood
SUDC Facts:
Occurs in children over the age of 12 months
Is a diagnosis of exclusion – assigned when all known causes of death have been ruled out
Its incidence is approximately 1.2 deaths per 100,000 children
It is the 5th leading cause of death in children ages 1-4, and 6th leading cause of death in older children ages 15-24
There is no known way to reduce the risk of SUDC
It is unpredictable and unpreventable at this time
Due to the lack of federal funding, researching the cause(s), risk(s), and prevention(s) of SUDC depends 100% on private donations
Music Together
Zaid began attending Music Together classes with his mom, Sarah, at the Osborn Senior Living Center in Rye, NY in the Fall of 2014 when he was 9 months old. After the first demo class, he was hooked! He loved his teacher, Jean, and especially her guitar. Thursday classes were the highlight of his week, and he attended the Generations class every semester through Spring 2016. Zaid loved greeting and interacting with the residents of the Osborn, and his musical enthusiasm brought joy to them every week. He loved sharing Music Together with his family, through singing along with the CDs in the car, getting his little cousin in Massachusetts involved in her local Music Together chapter, and insisting all visitors form a band with him and his musical instruments every time anyone came over his house. His favorite Music Together song was the “Goodbye Song,” and even if he didn’t have his guitar handy, he would improvise with a nearby air vent to strum and sing to his audience. Through Music Together, Zaid’s personality and confidence in his own personhood blossomed. Our foundation hopes to offer the opportunity to local families to experience the growth, bonding, and pure joy that Zaid loved through scholarship funds with Sounds Good Westchester, our local Music Together chapter.
