Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week
WHEREAS, congenital heart defects are the most frequently occurring birth defect and the leading cause of birth defect related deaths worldwide; and
WHEREAS, over one 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 a child’s birth and 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, 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 heart professionals and to meet others and know they are not alone; and
WHEREAS, the establishment of Congenital Heart 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, I, Robert Bentley, Governor of Alabama, do hereby proclaim the week of February 7 through 14, 2013 as
Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week
in the state of Alabama, and encourage all citizens to increase awareness, education and services for congenital heart defects, which each year affects thousands of babies in Alabama.
Provided by the Office of the Governor of Alabama | governor.alabama.gov