This week is Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week. Help raise awareness and support Children’s Heart Project by sharing these facts.
February 7-14 is Congenital Heart Defect Awareness week. Along with many families, individuals, organizations, and health professionals, Samaritan’s Purse would like to take this opportunity to share the needs and solutions for children suffering from heart defects at birth.
Children’s Heart, a project of Samaritan’s Purse, arranges life-saving heart surgeries for hundreds of children who live in countries where the required medical expertise and equipment are not available. We provide airfare for the children, a parent, and a translator and locate evangelical Christian churches and families willing to host the groups. After receiving surgery, children are encouraged to attend Heart Camps where they can connect with other children and learn about Jesus’ love for them.
Emibal traveled to Texas in 2013 to receive surgery that wasn't available in his home country of Bolivia.
Since 1993, Children’s Heart Project has helped more than 1,000 children receive the life-saving surgery they need.
As you learn more about congenital heart defects and how you can help through Children’s Heart Project, consider sharing this post on social media to spread the word. You can share each of the facts below by clicking the Twitter button.
What is Congenital Heart Disease?
Congenital heart disease, an abnormally structured heart, is the most common birth defect and is a leading cause of birth defect-related deaths worldwide. Approximately one in 100 newborns each year are affected by congenital heart defects.
Tweet This Fact:Congenital heart disease is the most common birth defect, #1 cause of birth defect related deaths worldwide. #CHD
What causes Congenital Heart Defects?
Most causes of CHDs are unknown. Only 15 to 20 percent of all CHDs are related to known genetic conditions. A baby’s risk of having a CHD is increased by three times if the mother, father, or sibling has a CHD.
Tweet This Fact:A baby’s risk of congenital heart defect is 3x higher if the mother, father, or sibling has a #CHD
How does CHD affect a child?
Children with CHD experience fatigue, excessive sweating, difficulty eating, poor weight gain, and heavy or labored breathing. Once a successful heart surgery is complete, the child is likely to lead a normal life without difficulty.
Tweet This Fact:Children with #CHD experience fatigue, difficulty eating, poor weight gain, labored breathing.
How does Children’s Heart Project help kids with CHD?
Children in many developing countries don’t have access to quality early healthcare like children in the U.S. Children’s Heart Project arranges life-saving surgery, which is routine in the U.S., so children from Bolivia, Mongolia, Honduras, and Uganda can lead normal lives.
Tweet This Fact:Children’s Heart arranges life-saving surgery, routine in the US, so #CHD children can lead normal lives.
How many children are on the Children’s Heart Project waiting list?
There are currently many children on our waiting list. Without surgery, their lives will likely be cut short.
Tweet This Fact:More than 150 children are waiting for life-saving heart surgery through Children’s Heart. #CHD
How can I help?
Pray: Pray for the children who will experience heart surgery this year and for their families. Pray for the doctors performing the surgeries and the recovery process.
Share: Share this information with your friends, family and social media community. Let them know that children are waiting to receive care that can save their lives.
Give: Your gift of any amount to Children’s Heart Project can help to transport a child to North America, provide surgery to repair the heart, and send a child to Heart Camp where they will learn of God’s love.
