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Dear Editor,

Our oldest daughter, Gabriella, was born with a Congenital Heart Defect. Her heart was fixed when she was 4 years old, and in three short months she will graduate from college with a degree in social work.

Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are the most common birth defect in the U.S., affecting nearly 40,000 babies each year –about 1 in 100 births.

Thanks to advances in research and treatment, more people, like Gabriella, born with CHDs, are living longer, healthier lives. Today, there are an estimated 1 million children and 1.3 million adult survivors in the United States.

Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week, Feb. 7-14, highlights these conditions and the progress made possible by innovation and dedicated care. The American Heart Association, the world’s leading nonprofit organization focused on changing the future of health for all, has been a driving force in funding research, advancing treatments and advocating for life-saving policies. Through its advocacy efforts, the Association helped ensure that all 50 states now require pulse oximetry screening for critical congenital heart disease in newborns. This simple, non-invasive test has helped save countless lives by enabling early detection and treatment.

This CHD Week during American Heart Month, I encourage our community to join me in raising awareness about congenital heart defects and the importance of continued research and support for those affected. Together, we can help advance health and hope for CHD survivors and their families.

Sincerely,

Adria Giordano
Executive Director, American Heart Association
West Hartford, CT