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)