CHD Awareness week: February 7th-14th

What is CHD? A Congenital Heart Defect is a problem with the heart's structure that is present at birth. These defects can involve:
* the interior walls of the heart
*the valves inside the heart
*the arteries and veins that carry blood to and out of the body

CHD Statistics:
* CHD's are America's #1 birth defect. Nearly 1 in every 125 babies is born with a heart defect. (almost 1% of children born each year)

* CHD's are the number #1 cause of birth defect related deaths. 1 in 3 children who die from a birth defect have a CHD.

* This year almost 40,000 babies will be born with a CHD

*In the US, twice as many children die from CHD's each year than all forms of childhood cancer. Yet funding for pediatric cancer is 5x greater!

* From 1993- 2003 deaths from CHD's have decreased by almost 31% due to advances made in research!

* There is not yet a preventive cure for any type of CHD

* Of every dollar the government spends on medical funding, only a fraction of every penny is directed towards CHD research.

I wrote Governor Mark Sanford about a week ago and received a proclamation in the mail today that states that the week of February 7th-14th be declared as Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week! I'm so proud of our state for joining in this amazing journey with us! I have ordered hundreds of stickers and brochures that I will place at Marlee's pediatrican and cardiology offices! Many of us heart moms are pushing for CHD detection at birth! Not screening for CHD's is NOT an option!! Instead, ask for a Pulse Oximeter test at birth! Most birth defects do not show up for more than 72 hours! As a heart mom, I am an advocate for my child and other children, so that our children do not have to go through this!

On another note, my friend Kelly's friend Tina, her little girl just had open heart surgery on Monday. Marlee sent one of her stuffed animals from MUSC to keep Miss Anna Grace company! Please visit their blog and pray for this sweet family. www.baasheepbaa.blogspot.com