February 7-14th is Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week. It was a week filled with lots of events and fundraisers for our Mended Little Hearts Group. We held a blood drive- the largest in Colorado Springs History, had a Proclamation signing at the Mayors office, and fundraisers at Couture Cupcakes, and Eves and Recess shops. Several of the mom's went to schools throughout the week and talked with students about heart awareness. It was a fun week and we have a lot to be thankful for. Here are a few highlights from the week:
Sue and Emily came to decorate a cupcake
So did Sheila and Karen!
Thad and his heart friend Nora
Thad got a chocolate cupcake with red frosting and pink sprinkles!
Dr. Brames came to support us at the Proclamation signing
Dr. Brames and our Mended Little Hearts Mom's
Our Proclamation
Vice Mayor reading the proclamation to all the kids.
CHD Facts
- Congenital Heart Defects are the #1 birth defect in the world
- By the 28th day of pregnancy, the baby’s heart is formed. A CHD occurs usually before the mother knows she is pregnant
- Congenital Heart Defects are the #1 cause of birth defect related deaths
- About 1 out of every 100 babies are born each year with a Congenital Heart Defect, approximately 40,000 per year
- Every year 155 children are born with a CHD in El Paso County, 1492 in Colorado
- This year, approximately 4,000 babies will not live to see their first birthday because of Congenital Heart Defects
- There are 35 known heart defects, with more being identified every year
- Nearly twice as many children die from Congenital Heart Defects in the U.S. each year as from all forms of childhood cancers combined, yet funding for pediatric cancer research is five times higher than funding for CHDs
- Over 50% of CHDers will have at least one open heart surgery
- 40,000 units of blood are used each day, half of that is used by CHDers
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