CHD Awareness Week: February 7-14

Many of you may know that Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week is February 7-14. Mended Little Hearts was able to have the City of Sacramento make this proclamation. We have been working hard to find ways to spread awareness in our community. We took the grass roots approach. Some of the members of MLH created flyers to to out to all the students/parents in the school where their children attend. In addition, we planned our 1st annual Valentine's Party for February 14. The event is open to the community and we are providing food, crafts for the kids, information about CHDs, an ambulance for kids to tour, and BloodSource will be there for a blood drive. Caden received many units of blood during his surgery as well as post-operatively as well so I realize the importance of people donating blood!

In addition, I want to post a few facts about CHD's as well as the source of the information, some of them I took from another friend's blog (thank you Victoria!). :)

Congenital Heart Defects are the #1 birth defect. ~ March of Dimes

Congenital Heart Defects are the #1 cause of birth defect related deaths. ~ March of Dimes

About 1 out of every 100 babies are born each year with some type of Congenital Heart Defect. (approx. 40,000/year) ~ Children’s Heart Foundation

Every 15 minutes a child is born with a congenital heart defect. ~ American Heart Association

Up to 1.3 million Americans have congenital heart disease. ~ American Heart Association

Nearly twice as many children die from Congenital Heart Defects in the United States each year as from all forms of childhood cancers combined, yet funding for pediatric cancer research is five times higher than funding for CHD. ~ Children’s Heart Foundation

This year approximately 4,000 babies will not live to see their first birthday because of Congenital Heart Defects. ~ Children’s Heart Foundation

The cost for inpatient surgery to repair Congenital Heart Defects exceeds $2.2 billion a year. ~ Children’s Heart Foundation

Of every dollar the government spends on medical funding only a fraction of a penny is directed toward Congenital Heart Defect research. ~ Children’s Heart Foundation

Although some babies will be diagnosed during gestation or at birth, sometimes the diagnosis is not made until days, weeks, months, or even years after. In some cases, CHD is not detected until adolescence or adulthood. ~ March of Dimes

It is a proven fact that the earlier CHD is detected and treated, it is more likely the affected child will survive and have less long term health complications. ~ March of Dimes

If you would like more information or have a child with a CHD, please check out our website: www.sacramento.mendedlittlehearts.net. There is information about Mended Little Hearts, resources, and details about our monthly meetings and activities. Please help spread the awareness about the #1 birth defect!

This is a picture of Caden taken the day of his heart surgery at 15 days old.