CHD AWARENESS WEEK

(Parker at his last Echo appt 8/2010)

February 7-14th is CHD Awareness Week

Did you know:

• Congenital Heart Defects (CHDs) affects approximately 1.8 million families in the United States
• CHDs are the most common birth defect and the leading cause of birth-defect related deaths worldwide
• Nearly twice as many children die from CHDs as from all childhood cancers combined, yet research for cancer receives five times the funding
• There are currently 35 distinct CHDs recognized
• There is no known cause for CHDs and there is no cure. Only treatment, such as medicines, numerous surgeries and heart transplants.
• Each year an estimated 1 in 100 babies are born in the United States with a congenital heart defect
• 1 in 10 of those are born with a fatal defect

A couple of reasons to spread awareness is to inform the general public about the symptoms of CHDs and possibly save lives; and it will affirm the need for researchers and medical professionals to continue their work to improve the outlook for CHD patients.

Here are a few ways you can help bring awareness to CHDs

• If you are on Facebook, "like" the CHD Awareness Week 2011 page
  
• If you are looking to give to a charity, think about donating to one that supports CHD research, such as the Children's Heart Foundation.
• Wear red on February 14 to remember those who are affected by CHDs.