Mayor proclaims Congenital Heart Disease Awareness Week

TERRE HAUTE, Ind (WTHI) - A proclamation was made to raise awareness for Congenital Heart Disease in Terre Haute.

Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) affects nearly 1 percent of newborns each year in the United States; that is more than 40,000 babies born with a congenital heart defect. Congenital Heart Disease Awareness Week provides the opportunity for families and patients affected by these conditions to celebrate life, honor dedicated health professionals and share their experiences and knowledge with the public.

More than one million families across America are facing the challenges and hardships of living with a congenital heart defect. Unfortunately, there is a disproportionately small amount of funding available for research and support.

On hand Tuesday to accept the proclamation on behalf of all CHD families and survivors was Stephanie Arnold, a CHD Survivor, and Jennifer Ripple, a mother of a child who only lived four and a half months.

“Thanks to surgical and medical breakthroughs, there are now more adults than children living with congenital heart defects, but many are unaware they need lifelong special cardiac care to preserve their life and health.” Arnold said. “There is a severe national shortage of care centers, research and other resources needed to treat these medical pioneers once they become adults.”

Congenital Heart Disease Awareness Week is February 7 through the 14.

Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) is a defect you are born with and is completely different than Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) which is a narrowing of the small blood vessels that supply blood and oxygen to the heart.

Way to support

Jump Rope for Heart will be Feb. 29th at Rio Grande Elementary from about 8:30a- 2:10p

Helpful Links

• Adult Congenital Heart Association Website
• CHD Fact Sheet
• CH D Support Network on Facebook