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WHEREAS, Congenital Heart Defects (CHD) are a lethal constellation of birth defects of the heart that affect millions of newborn infants and children worldwide; there are over 40 known congenital heart defects with no known cure with many defects going undiagnosed until it’s too late ; and,
WHEREAS, congenital heart defects are the number one birth defect in the world with 1 in 100 babies or 40,000 babies born each year born each year with a congenital heart defect. There are about 3,000 people in Pittsburgh with a CHD and about 128,000 in the Commonwealth of PA.CHDs are responsible for one third of all birth defect related deaths and sadly only 20% of children will not survive past their first birthday; and,
WHEREAS the Children’s Heart Foundation, founded in 1996 by parents affected by the issue, is the leading national organization created to exclusively fund congenital heart defect research. The CHF has funded over $7.4 million to 62 research projects at leading research centers across the United States and Canada, published “It’s My Heart”, a patient and parent resource book and has chapters, events and volunteers in many states supporting the CHF mission locally; and,
WHEREAS, the Children’s Heart Foundation PA Chapter was founded to support the mission of the CHF. With a Board consisting of heart moms, a pediatric heart surgeon and caring individuals, the group works with similar local organizations like Zachary’s Mission. Zachary’s Mission supports families of medically fragile children by providing basic necessities, financial assistance and programs that nurture emotional well-being.
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NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby recognize the critical nature of congenital heart defects and commends and congratulates the Children’s Heart Foundation for its work to spread awareness and raise research dollars for the children with congenital heart defects. In addition, City Council does hereby congratulate Zachary’s Mission for its heroic goals to support families of medically fragile children and for its programmatic connections to the Congenital Heart Foundation; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby declare February 7-14, 2016 to be “CONGENITAL HEART DEFECT AWARENESS WEEK” in the City of Pittsburgh.