So we are all excited about kicking off National Congenital Heart Defects Awareness Week! Here are some fast facts about CHD--
-Congenital Heart Defects are the most common birth defect and the leading cause of death from birth defects during the first year of life.
-About 8 in every 1,000 children are born with at least one heart defect, that's about 40,000 children every year!
-While research is ongoing, there are 35 heart defects that have been identified.
-There are over one million Americans alive with Congenital Heart Defects today.
While these serious heart defects affect the lives of so many each year, there is unfortunately, a lack of funding for research of surgical procedures, treatment options and medications that could save these children's lives.
Here is where YOU can help:
-Increase awareness of CHD and become an advocate in your community
-Donate and encourage others to donate to research hospitals and non-profit organizations that support CHD
-Increase awareness of the miracle of organ donation, become a proud organ donor yourself and encourage others to do so as well (There are more than 40,000 Americans on the Heart Transplant Waiting List every year and only a little more than 2,225 recieve a donor organ. This is largely due to lack of education and awareness.)
-Support your local children's hospital and the families affected by CHD in any way you can!
4 comments:
Let me know of anything that is going on for this wonderful and so personal cause! Hope Ben is doing great!
Rosemary told us the good new today in RS...I had to pretend that Oakley needed to nurse so that I wouldn't embarrass myself and start bawling right there. I'm so excited for you, and maybe in some odd weeks we'll even be able to see the lil' fighter. (We still have his present from your surprise baby shower that never happened!) Wow-prayers do work!!!
Hello, My name is Hilary Cook. My son is Daxton Cook. He recieved his new heart Sept 10, 2008. The transplant team told me about you and I cannot even tell you how incredibly happy I am for you and your family, especially little Ben. Reading your blog is like reliving our experiance. There are so many miracles. I would love to come see you and meet Ben. I am going to try and come up tomorrow. I am going in for a root canal so it will depend on how I feel after. If you need anything just give me a call. I told the transplant team they could give you my number, email whatever you need. We are sending all of our prayers your way. Much love, Hilary
Hey there, thanks for coming out to the PICU front desk on Saturday to meet some us from Intermountain Healing Hearts, your local CHD Support Group.
Happy CHD Week and you are always welcome to add our logo to your blog, especially since your are a member :0) The logo can be copied from the IHH website at www.intermountainhealinghearts.org
One of our members will be dropping off a care-bag to you later today, since I forgot to hand it to you when I handed you the heart bear.
Just Wanted you to know that I am keeping your little one in my thoughts and prayers as he continues to recover and pray for no bumps in the road.
Heart Hugs,
Carolyn Quigley
President, IHH
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