Help Make CHD week official!!

Over a month ago I sent a letter to our Governor and State Representatives ( one who supports the Congenital Heart Futures Act ) requesting a proclamation for making Congenital Heart Defect Week Official in our state of Ohio.

Although I am still waiting to hear from them I am encouraging everyone to do the same.
The more people the better! You do not have to be personally affected by CHD’s to understand the importance of spreading awareness.

Please help us educate people everywhere.
To see a letter sample and proclamation sample see my post with those titles on blog post!
Just a few minutes to send this letter request can save a Childs life and save a parent from losing a child!!

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. Source: March of Dimes.

• Congenital Heart Defects are the #1 birth defect. Source: March of Dimes
• Congenital Heart Defects are the #1 cause of birth defect related deaths. Source: 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) Source: Children’s Heart Foundation
• 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. Source: Children’s Heart Foundation
• The American Heart Association directs only $0.30 of every dollar donated toward research. The remainder goes toward administration, education and fundraising efforts. Of the $0.30 that goes toward research only $0.01 goes toward pediatric cardiology for CHD. Source: Children’s Heart Foundation
• This year approximately 4,000 babies will not live to see their first birthday because of Congenital Heart Defects. Source: Children’s Heart Foundation

Proclomation Sample for CHD week

Proclamation Wording Suggestion:
Whereas, congenital heart defects are those existing at birth; and
Whereas, with familiarity of the disorder, more diagnoses are being made of what was not long ago
thought to be an extremely rare disorder and not repairable;
Whereas, CHD is among the most common birth defects and is the leading cause of defect-related deaths.
Too many babies and children born with CHDs continue to die due to the severity of the defect, the heart
defect not being detected in time, a lack of donor hearts, or failure of the medical
intervention used;
Whereas, more than 40,000 infants (1 of every 100) are born each year with heart defects in the United
States;
Whereas, CHD is being researched by numerous professionals (at least 35 defects are now recognized) in
order to more accurately describe its origin, physical signs and symptoms and surgical options;
Whereas, it is important to raise awareness of this disorder, so that the likelihood of early diagnosis and
intervention will increase;
Therefore, I, _________________ Governor of the State of _________________, do hereby officially
proclaim February 7-14th as Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week.

Sample Letter for Making CHD week official in all states

Dear Honorable Governor ( Your Governors Name)

Families of children with congenital and acquired heart disease, adults with
Congenital heart defects and the professionals who work with them are joining
Forces to have February 7-14th proclaimed in all fifty states as Congenital Heart
Defect Awareness Week.”

As a resident of this great state of (Your State)( your CHD realationship) I am requesting that you help us reach our goal by making an executive proclamation declaring this special in February.

I am the parent / Adult of CHD ( type of CHD and short story)


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.
Source: March of Dimes

Here are just a few reasons why spreading awareness and educating is so very important
• Congenital Heart Defects are the #1 birth defect. Source: March of Dimes
• Congenital Heart Defects are the #1 cause of birth defect related deaths. Source: 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) Source: Children’s Heart Foundation
• 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. Source: Children’s Heart Foundation

For more information about CHD Awareness week participants and activities,
Please visit www.tchin.org/aware.

For more information about congenital heart defects, please visit www.itsmyheart.org

I would be extremely proud if my state would participate in making February 7-
14th a special week to recognize people born with heart defects, to remember
Loved ones who lost their battle to CHD, and to honor the dedicated health
Professionals who work with us. I have included a rough draft of what I image a
Proclamation would look like.

I would be most grateful if you could send the proclamation as soon as possible
So that we can make plans for promotion and celebration during the month of
February. Our state’s participation in this event will have a profound impact on
Thousands of families and individuals. I thank you for your time and
Consideration.

Respectfully,
(your name and contact information)