Congenital Heart Disease Awareness Week

By virtue of the authority vested by the Constitution of Virginia in the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, there is hereby officially recognized:

WHEREAS, congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most prevalent birth defect in the United States, affecting one in every 100 births; and

WHEREAS, each year in the United States, more than 40,000 babies are born with CHD; and

WHEREAS, there is no known cure for CHD, as it is a lifelong disease that requires ongoing specialized care; and

WHEREAS, the health and well-being of congenital heart patients is of paramount importance; and

WHEREAS, thanks to the advancement of science and medicine, 85% of individuals born with CHD now live past the age of 18; and

WHEREAS, even with these advancements, fewer than 10% of adults with CHD are receiving the recommended care needed; and

WHEREAS, medical research can provide more identifiable means of the origins and symptoms of CHD; and

WHEREAS, it is crucial that individuals planning a family, fetal clinicians, obstetric physicians, pediatricians, and all those in the medical field have a greater understanding of the potential for CHD; and

WHEREAS, Congenital Heart Disease Awareness Week provides the opportunity for patients and families affected by CHD to share their experiences and knowledge so that the public may be aware of how this defect impacts lives;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Glenn Youngkin, do hereby recognize February 7-14, 2023, as CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE AWARENESS WEEK in our COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of our citizens.

Governor of Virginia

Proclamations