Congenital Heart Defect Awareness

The  Town of Perry, ME,   joined many states, cities and towns to proclaim February 14th as "A Day for Hearts: Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Day".   We expect the State of Maine will declare the week of February 7th through 14th Congenital Heart Defect Awareness week as they have done in past years.

The proclamations aim to raise public awareness of Congenital Heart Defects and Childhood onset Heart Diseases.  With increased awareness it is hoped that children with heart disease will be diagnosed earlier improving their outcome.  

Approximately 40,000 babies or 1 out of every 125 births are affected each year in the United States alone.  It is the most common birth defect and a leading cause of birth-defect related deaths worldwide.  Public awareness is of special concern in rural areas like Perry, where early diagnosis may result in life-saving, specialized care, often unavailable in the region. Today most heart defects can be corrected or helped.

TCHIN.org provides reliable information about CHD facts and ways to get more involved with CHD Awareness Day in your area.  

© Stronghearts 2007