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.
Media Kit
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.
Congenital Heart Defect Awareness
Week
February 7-14, 2008
Here is a sample letter you can personalize and
send to your Governor or local elected officials. Simply copy the text
into your email program, and fill
in the blanks with the appropriate information!
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 fifty
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
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Send your letter by email
Most 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
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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, 2006, 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.
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