Others with CHD's

                I did some research and it may surprise you who you have seen on the big screen, in the Olympics, on your favorite sports team, in your favorite band, etc. That has a CHD or has a child with a CHD. As a 12 year old living with CHD; My niece Abby wasnt always able to do some of the things other kids can. She had to take breaks to catch her breath when running around with her brothers or playing outdoor games with family. If she got to excited and worked up while playing video games she had to sit back for awhile and calm down. And when Abby's energy was spent no matter where she is she will find a place to curl up and sleep. Despite all this Abby remains the ball of energy and spunk that we have always known and loved. She doesn't let her CHD define who she is but always keeps pressing forward till she gets what she wants. I know a lot of these people bring hope to Abby who someday wants to star on Broadway, sing a chart topping song and just all around be famous and have everyone know her name. :)

Famous People with a Congenital Heart Defect

• Shaun White – Olympic Snowboarder (Tetralogy of Fallot)
• Mark “Fight Shark” Miller – MMA Fighter/Kickboxer (Aortic Stenosis)
• Joe Strummer(21 August 1952 – 22 December 2002) – Clash front man, passed away due to undiagnosed CHD at 50.
• John Glascock(2 May 1951 – 17 November 1979) – base guitarist, Jethro Tull. Died at 28 from CHD complications.
• Max Page - Child Actor and Darth Vader in VW Superbowl Ad (Tetralogy of Fallot)
• Tedy Bruschi – Former Patriots linebacker and ESPN Commentator (Atrial Septal Defect)
• John Ritter(September 17, 1948 – September 11, 2003) – Actor, passed away due to undiagnosed Congenital Heart Defect
• Paul Cardall – Pianist, Complex CHD/Heart Transplant (Paul has a great CHD Blog athttp://mytricuspidatresia.blogspot.com)
• Brian Littrell – Member of the Backstreet Boys (Ventricular Septal Defect)

Famous Heart Parents with CHD Kids

• Bret Baier – Fox New Anchor (Son with d-transposition of the great vessels)
• Sylvester Stallone – Actor (Daughter with Ventricular Septal Defect)
• Katherine Heigl– Actress (Daughter with CHD)
• Matt Hammitt – Lead Singer of Sanctus Real (Son withhypoplastic left heart syndrome)
• Senator Ron Johnson – Junior Senator (Republican) from Wisconsin (Daughter with Transposition of the Great Arteries)
• Roger Rosenblatt – an American journalist, author, playwright and teacher. His book Making Toast, details losing his daughter Amy to an undiagnosed/asymptomatic CHD and the aftermath of her death.
• Tom Riles – Warm Up Entertainer for the Ellen show (Daughter with CHD)
• Charles Tillman – Chicago Bears (Daughter with Cardiomyopathy)

CHD Dads Sing "Somewhere Over The Rainbow"

I know I shared this last year and you can probably still see it on this blog. But I just love this. It makes me cry every time.

Congenital Heart Defects Personal Stories

I found these on the American Heart Association. There are a few stories I am familiar with and some that I am not. Either way I love sharing stories about Heart Warriors and their families. Please click on the link below to read their stories.





Congenital Heart Defects Personal Stories

Contest

   

                           I realized I hadn't talked about the ways you can win. There are 3 different ways you can submit your name into the drawing. (So a chance to have your name in the drawing 3 times instead of 1) One way is posting a question in the comments here on the blog, I will be answering all questions at the end of each week. The 2nd & 3rd way is helping to spread CHD awareness.  Examples are: Posting something on your blog about CHD and then put the link to your post in the comments so that I can go read about it. Helping to spread awareness on Facebook or Twitter. You can do this by posting about CHD awareness, sharing my blog or event, making your profile picture something about CHD, etc. Please remember to tag me on Facebook/Twitter or post a link in the comments section on my blog, so I know to add your name to the drawing. I would hate to only have your name in 2 times when you deserve 3. These are just some examples and will only get your name in the drawing once.
                        I know that I usually have some kind of diamond necklace. However due to finances being a little rough I am not going to be able to afford something that extravagant. However I will still find some beautiful prizes to give away as a reward for helping to spread awareness. So start commenting, questioning and spreading awareness for a chance to enter to win. 

New pediatric imaging facility aims to improve treatment for congenital ...

I found this on the National Heart,Lung and Blood Institute's website and thought I would share.

CHD Explained...a little

According to the American Heart Association at Heart.org Congenital mean it was existing at the time of birth. Defect is an abnormality that occurs in the heart during development in the womb either with the heart itself or with the blood vessels around the heart. There are many different types of heard defects that could occur. a few are...

Common Types of Heart Defects

• Aortic Valve Stenosis (AVS)
• Atrial Septal Defect (ASD)
• Coarctation of the Aorta (CoA)
• Complete Atrioventricular Canal defect (CAVC)
• d-Transposition of the Great Arteries
• Ebstein's Anomaly
• Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome
• I-Transposition of the Great Arteries
• Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA)
• Pulmonary Atresia
• Pulmonary Valve Stenosis
• Single Ventricle Defects
• Tetralogy of Fallot
• Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Connection (TAPVC)
• Tricuspid Atresia
• Truncus Arteriosus
• Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD)

CHD is the most common birth defect that effects 1 out of 100 babies born. That can mean up to 40,000 babies born in 1 year will have a congenital heart defect. CHD is the cause of on third of all birth defect related deaths  in infants. sadly 20% of babies born with a CHD  wont make it past their first birthday. (Childrens Heart Foundation)

This is one of the many reasons why I help to try and spread awareness about CHD. There has been wonderful medical advances to help CHD's; whether its detecting them, surgical operations to try and correct the defect and many more. 

7th Annual CHD Awareness Week

Welcome to the 7th annual CHD Awareness Week. I would like to start by giving a small background as to why I do this; 10 years ago I didn't even know what CHD was or that it even existed. Then in he summer of 2006 I was introduced to a cute little girl with a big personality. My niece Abby was 6 when I first met her and had already underwent multiple surgery's for a heart defect. Since then I have seen he undergo more surgery;s including a valve replacement in her heart, She then had complications due to heart failure, which led to an eventual heart transplant. These are just a few of the surgeries. I always like to get into her story a little more though out these posts. I love my niece very much and often felt very helpless when her and her family go through these surgery's, hospital visits and more. Seven years ago I had an idea to host this event on my blog to try and help spread awareness about CHD and my nieces story, I know I couldn't do as much as I wanted to help this sweet family, but at least I could help spread awareness. CHD stand for Congenital Heart Defects. This is a condition that occurs in 1 out of 100 babies born. There are multiple defects associated with CHD, some not as severe as others but all important to know and understand about. I hope as we take this journey together over the next two weeks that I help spread awareness and increase your understanding about CHD. Yes I do offer prizes at the end of the awareness week, which I will explain a little more in detail tomorrow. I hope you enjoy the next few days and I am excited to read your questions and comments.