Today begins the week of Congenital Heart Defect Awareness week. This is an international coalition of so many families, individuals, non-profit organizations, support groups and health care professionals that come together to participate in a campaign. A campaign with the goal of spreading awareness of Congenital Heart Defects/ Childhood Heart Disease (CHD). This week is so important, to everyone and here is why....
This week is dedicated to spreading the word and educating the public about CHD. By sharing the facts and our stories, we are helping another family that has been affected by CHD. There is very little awareness, which I personally find shocking, since congenital heart defects are considered to be the most common birth defect and is the leading cause of birth defect related deaths worldwide. CHD affects approximately 1.8 million the United States. We are 1 in every 100 babies, that is 40,000 babies a year, and sadly about 4,000 of these precious babies wont mske it to their first birthday. CHD claims twice as many lives a year as all types of childhood cancers combined. It comes in 30 forms and there is not a single cure to any of them. And although I have a gorgeous little girl with multiple defects, I am one of the many heart parents who had no idea what a CHD even was until it affected my family.
Just as in Kiley's situation, there are many babies who are sent home from the hospital UNDIAGNOSED! Even with all Kiley has been through and still has so much more to go, I have to say we are one of the luckiy families, she is still her with us. If this were to happen to you, or family member or friend would you know the signs and symptoms? Please help us, all the heart babies, adults and families out there and spread the word!
Congenital Heart Defect Informational Links
Congenital Heart Defects- www.congenitalheartdefects.com
Congenital Heart Defect Information Network
http://tchin.org
No comments:
Post a Comment