Congenital Heart Defect
Awareness Week™
February 7-14, 2008
An international coalition of families, individuals, non-profit
organizations, support groups, and health professionals participate in a
campaign to increase public awareness of Congenital Heart Defects and Childhood
Heart Disease.
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The Origin of CHD Week
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Heart to Heart Texas CHD Day Celebration in Dallas, February 2005
In November, 1999,
Jeanne Imperati, organizer of the Awareness campaign,
encouraged members of our online support groups, visitors to
our site, and interested health professionals to write to
their governors, requesting that February 14, 2000 be
proclaimed as A Day for Hearts: Congenital Heart Defect
Awareness Day™ in their state.
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Times Square, New York City
February 2002
Within several weeks of her initial announcement, Mrs.
Imperati and members of our online community received proclamations
from forty-four states!
In 2006, well over 100
hospitals, practices and organizations
throughout the world participated in awareness activities,
celebrations, media events, and local press interviews.
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Congenital Heart Disease is considered to be the most common birth
defect, and is a leading cause of birth-defect related deaths worldwide.
Despite the fact that CHD affects millions of families, a relatively
small amount of funding is currently available for parent/patient educational
services, research, and support.
CHD Awareness Week celebration at Children's City, Creek Park, Dubai, UAE
February 14, 2005
By sharing our experiences and providing information, we hope to raise
public awareness about conditions that affect approximately 40,000 babies
each year in the United States alone.
It is our sincere hope that efforts to educate the public will result
in additional funding for support and educational services, scientific
research, and improved quality of care for our children and adults.
For more information,
please contact us.
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The Texas CHD Day Proclamation |
Support groups and non-profit organizations are welcome to
contact us for information about joint
fund-raising opportunities and promotional materials for CHD Awareness
Week.
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