Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week
February 7-14, 2013

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.

Sample CHD Week Proclamation

Here is a sample letter you may use to request a proclamation from your elected officials (Governor, Mayor, City Council, etc). If you are outside of the U.S., you can also request a proclamation from your elected officials.

In years past, proclamations were granted by mayors, city councils, and elected county officials. Many proclamations were granted at the local level! Additionally, you can request a Resolution from your state legislature for an observance of CHD Awareness Week.

If you receive a proclamation, please contact us so we can list your achievement on the site.

Dear Honorable (Governor/Mayor) _____________, (official's 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 states as "Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week."

As a resident of this great state of _____________, I am requesting that you help us reach our goal by making an executive proclamation declaring this special week in February. 

I am an adult with CHD / the parent of  __________________________________(please describe yourself or your child, and tell your governor why you think CHD Awareness Week is important)

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

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 imagine 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
Mailing address
Phone #
Email Address

Top of Page
Return to Main CHD Awareness Week Page

Send your letter by email

Most state Governors have websites, which include either a link to an online form or an email address. Simply copy the text of a sample letter we have provided along with the requested proclamation, and then paste it onto your email. It's that easy!

We have provided links to each state office below.

Governors' Offices

Alabama	Illinois	Montana	Pennsylvania
Alaska	Indiana	Nebraska	Rhode Island
Arkansas	Iowa	Nevada	South Carolina
Arizona	Kansas	New Hampshire	South Dakota
California	Kentucky	New Jersey	Tennessee
Colorado	Louisiana	New Mexico	Texas
Connecticut	Maine	New York	Utah
Delaware	Maryland	North Carolina	Vermont
Florida	Michigan	North Dakota	Virginia
Georgia	Minnesota	Ohio	Washington
Hawaii	Mississippi	Oklahoma	West Virginia
Idaho	Missouri	Oregon	Wisconsin
			Wyoming

Top of Page
Return to Main CHD Awareness Week Page

Sample Proclamations

 
2008 Pennsylvania Proclamation

2008 Arizona Proclamation

2008 Washington State Proclamation

Top of Page
Return to Main CHD Awareness Week Page

Sample CHD Week Resolution

Here is a sample letter you may use to request a Resolution from your state legislature for an observance of CHD Awareness Week.

If you receive a resolution, please contact us so we can list your achievement on the site.

WHEREAS, Congenital Heart Defects are the most frequently occurring birth defect and the leading cause of birth defect related deaths worldwide; and

WHEREAS, Over a million families across America are facing the challenges and hardships of raising children with Congenital Heart Defects; and

WHEREAS, Every year 40,000 babies are born in the United States with Congenital Heart Defects; and

WHEREAS, Some Congenital Heart Defects are not diagnosed until months or years after birth; and

WHEREAS, Undiagnosed Congenital Heart conditions cause many cases of sudden cardiac death in young athletes; and

WHEREAS, Despite these statistics, newborns and young athletes are not routinely screened for Congenital Heart Defects; and

WHEREAS, A disproportionately small amount of funding is available for Congenital Heart Defect research and support; and

WHEREAS, Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week provides an opportunity for families whose lives have been affected to celebrate life and to remember loved ones lost, to honor dedicated health professionals, and to meet others and know they are not alone; and

WHEREAS, The establishment of Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week will also provide the opportunity to share experience and information with the public and the media, in order to raise public awareness about Congenital Heart Defects; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of __________, That the Assembly proclaims February 7-14, 2013, to be Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week and encourages all citizens to increase awareness, education, and services for Congenital Heart Defects which each year affect thousands of babies in _______ (name of State); and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly shall transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.

Top of Page
Return to Main CHD Awareness Week Page