(feel free to save this image and post it on your blog, I made it myself with elements from Summertime Digi Scraps)
*CHDs are the #1 birth defect and the #1 cause of infant death related to birth defects. 1 in every 100 babies born will have a CHD (1 in every 800-1000 babies born has Down Syndrome).
*1 in 10 of those born with a CHD will have a fatal defect.
*In the US there are nearly twice as many deaths due to CHDs than that of all forms of childhood cancers combined. Yet there is 5 times more research for pediatric cancer than for CHDs.
*The cost of inpatient surgery alone for CHDs exceeds 2.2 billion dollars per year.
*There are approximately 35 know Congenital Heart Defects.
*Causes for CHDs are still being studied. While there is no known definitive cause, it is said that both genetics and environmental factors can play a role. Scientists have actually identified over 100 mutations that are directly linked to the heart.
*There is no known cure for CHDs. However, the mortality rate after surgery has significantly decreased in the past 20-30 years. On average it is about 5% compared to the 30% it was. At the same time, the rate of incidence of CHDs has remained unchanged.
*With advances in medicine, many of those born with a CHD will have their first and sometimes only corrective surgery before age 2.
*Many of those living with a CHD go on to lead normal to near normal lives. Those with complex CHDs will also go on to lead longer and more active lives than before. Most will have some physical limitations, but almost all learn to move pass them.
*Only about 30% of the children who need a heart transplant receive one in time.
*About 40,000 units of blood are used every day yet only about 5% of the adults, the only ones who are eligible to donate blood, do so. Someone needs blood every three seconds in the United States; that someone is often one of our heart children.
*1 in 10 of those born with a CHD will have a fatal defect.
*In the US there are nearly twice as many deaths due to CHDs than that of all forms of childhood cancers combined. Yet there is 5 times more research for pediatric cancer than for CHDs.
*The cost of inpatient surgery alone for CHDs exceeds 2.2 billion dollars per year.
*There are approximately 35 know Congenital Heart Defects.
*Causes for CHDs are still being studied. While there is no known definitive cause, it is said that both genetics and environmental factors can play a role. Scientists have actually identified over 100 mutations that are directly linked to the heart.
*There is no known cure for CHDs. However, the mortality rate after surgery has significantly decreased in the past 20-30 years. On average it is about 5% compared to the 30% it was. At the same time, the rate of incidence of CHDs has remained unchanged.
*With advances in medicine, many of those born with a CHD will have their first and sometimes only corrective surgery before age 2.
*Many of those living with a CHD go on to lead normal to near normal lives. Those with complex CHDs will also go on to lead longer and more active lives than before. Most will have some physical limitations, but almost all learn to move pass them.
*Only about 30% of the children who need a heart transplant receive one in time.
*About 40,000 units of blood are used every day yet only about 5% of the adults, the only ones who are eligible to donate blood, do so. Someone needs blood every three seconds in the United States; that someone is often one of our heart children.
I feel like I'm one of those "The More You Know" commercials! Ha. But I feel so passionate about this. I love seeing all the hearts around this time of year, cause when I see them I think of Braden and all the other heart kids and then I think Valentine's Day. More facts and specifics about Braden's defect(s) are here. I am trying hard to come up with a cute slogan to put on Braden's shirt to wear during Ethan's Run. So far I have a few favorites like "I'm 1 in 100" or "The Chicks Dig Scars" but I'm not quite set on one yet. I think I'll go with something simple for B2 and B3 like "CHD Bro" so if anyone has any cute ideas leave a comment and I'll decide soon, I gotta either make or order them soon so we have them by the run!
Also, if you're doing Ethan's Run let me know so I can look for ya!
2 comments:
I think it's cool you put all the info out there. You can never have to much information.
I personally am liking the "My Zipper is cooler than yours!"
Also, Leigh & Jonikka are doing the Fun walk.... Don't hate me cause I ditched you to do the 10k! Haha
Ah.. I thought about shirts too, but I can't come up with a cool saying either. Darn it.
We'll be there for sure!!
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