February 7 – 14 has been designated Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week

As you may know, February 7 – 14 has been designated Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week – a week set aside to help increase awareness and educate the general public about congenital heart defects (CHD). Unfortunately, congenital heart defects are the number one category of birth defect in the world and the leading cause for death resulting from a birth defect. As an organization, we will work during this period to highlight congenital heart defects to the general public through social and traditional media as well as with the AHA’s CHD collaborator: The Children’s Heart Foundation. We will also share #CHDStories with our communities, encourage advocacy opportunities around CHD, promote our Support Network for families/caregivers experiencing CHD, and highlight our Little Hats, Big Hearts initiative. And, we will emphasize the need for critical research funding. One important way you can help is to “like”, “share” and send the social media messages our Communications team will offer via our local market presence.

Knowing the facts about Congenital Heart Defects helps us to be better ambassadors for our mission – below are links to helpful information:

• Congenital heart defects (CHD) are the world’s most common birth defect.
• At least 40,000 babies are born in the U.S. each year with congenital heart defects.
• About every 15 minutes, a child is born with a congenital heart defect.
• There are at least 25 different types of congenital heart defects.
• The effects of CHDs are varied and sometimes include issues with development.
• 3.6M babies are screened for CHDs annually due to pulse ox testing, and we’re advocating for all babies to be screened before they leave the hospital.
• Our Support Network can help those facing CHD know that they are not alone

The unfortunately reality is, a CHD diagnosis can devastate family.   Let’s keep all those touched by CHD in our thoughts, especially this week, (and every day) as we go about our work – and be sure to help highlight the important information and work being done.    Families are why!

Traci Heath ♡

Director

Development, Western MA

Mailing Address:

5 Brookside Drive | Wallingford, CT 06492

www.heart.org

P 413-262-3223 | FAX 203-303-3377

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Making a difference is why

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CTMA