CHD Awareness Week

CHD Awareness Week is February 7-14th.  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 even knows she is pregnant.  CHD's do not discriminate- they affect all types of families.  

Here are a few CHD facts:

* CHD's are the #1 cause of birth defect related deaths

*About 1 out of every 100 babies are born each year with a CHD, approximately 40,000 per year

*There are 35 known heart defects with more being identified every year

*Nearly twice as many children die from CHD's in the US each year as from all forms of childhood cancers combined, yet funding for pediatric cancer research is five times higher than funding for CHDs

*40,000 units of blood are used each day, half of that is used by CHDers

Before I was pregnant with Emma I had never heard of a Congenital Heart Defect let alone think that I would ever be affected by this.  CHD's are real.  We need more research so one day they can find a cure.  CHD's have affected our lives forever.  Most of you know I am a part of Mended Little Hearts.  I am a co-program coordinator and we have a great group of families.  We are very involved in the community and this week for CHD week we are having our 2nd annual Blood Drive with 6 locations this year.  If you live in Colorado Springs, please come out to one of our blood drives and donate.  

February 7

Blood Drive- Stetson Hills Police Station

4110 Tutt Blvd 10 am-2 pm

Blood Drive- Culver’s (Falcon Location)

 7220 N. Meridian Rd. 12 pm-4 pm

February 8

Blood Drive- Dodge Dealership

7455 Austin Bluffs 10 am-2 pm

YoYogurt Fundraiser (Briargate/Union) 

11 am-10 pm 

(Must mention Mended Little Hearts)

February 9

Blood Drive- Remington College 

6050 Erin Park Drive (on Academy between Vickers and Lehman Dr.) 9 am-12 pm

Parent Support Group Meeting

Dr. Duster will be our guest speaker

6:00 - 8:00 pm

Location: Serco- 1090 N. Newport Rd 

Building B (Powers/Aeroplaza)

Dinner and childcare is provided.

New families are always welcome.

February 10

Blood Drive- Walmart (Palmer Park/Powers) 1575 Space Center Drive 2 pm-6 pm

February 11

Quick Quack Carwash Fundraiser

4285 Austin Bluffs Pkwy

7 am-7 pm

Support a “little” heart while getting your car washed! Quick Quack will donate $2.00 for every Good, Better or Best car wash

February 14

Blood Drive- Jackson Elementary

4340 Edwinstowe Ave

11:30 am-4:30 pm