1998 Bell Atlantic Mobile-SIDS Golf Invitational Nets Record Proceeds for U. of Md. Medical School Program

BALTIMORE, MD — A record number of sponsors and golfers produced record donations in Maryland this year for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) medical research and grief counseling programs.

The 8th Annual Bell Atlantic Mobile -SIDS Golf Invitational, held at Turf Valley Resort and Conference Center in October, netted $90,000. One-hundred percent of the proceeds go directly to the Maryland SIDS Information and Counseling Program, part of the University of Maryland School of Medicine's Department of Pediatrics. Since its inception, the Bell Atlantic Mobile-SIDS Golf Invitationals have raised nearly $400,000.

The money goes toward:
· clinical research into the causes of SIDS, which mysteriously claimed 4000 babies in the US last year,
· grief counseling for families faced with this unexpected tragedy.

"We're delighted to help generate such substantial funding for the SIDS Institute, but we won't be satisfied until there's an end to this tragedy," said Gary Schulman, president of Bell Atlantic Mobile in the Washington/Baltimore region.

"Because of this assistance, we can assure that Maryland families receive the support they need and fund research so we can understand why this tragedy strikes these babies without warning," said Dr. Jodi Shaefer, director of the Maryland SIDS Information and Counseling Program. "We thank Bell Atlantic Mobile and the community for their support and commitment. Together we can overcome this tragedy."

Those interested in getting more information about SIDS or next year's golf tournament should call 1-800-808-SIDS. The 1999 Bell Atlantic Mobile-SIDS Invitational will be held Friday, October 1 at Turf Valley Resort and Conference Center in Ellicott City, Md.

Bell Atlantic Mobile owns and operates the largest wireless network in the East, covering 112,000 square miles, and the largest chain of retail outlets devoted exclusively to wireless voice, data and paging. Based in Bedminster, NJ, Bell Atlantic Mobile has 5.7 million customers and 7,000 employees from Maine to Georgia and, through a separate subsidiary, in the Southwest. Bell Atlantic Mobile's parent is one of the world's largest wireless communications companies, with domestic operations in 25 states and international investments in Mexico, Europe and the Pacific Rim. For more information on Bell Atlantic global operations visit: www.bellatlantic.com/worldwide.

###

####