A Week For Hearts

The Honorable Governor Gary Richard Herbert, governor of Utah, issued this proclamation in honor of Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week, February 7-14, 2010. The declaration reads:

Whereas, Congenital Heart Defects are one of the most frequently occurring birth defects and the leading cause of birth defect related deaths worldwide;

Whereas, more than one million families across America face the challenge and hardships of raising children with Congenital Heart Defects;

Whereas, each year, 40,000 babies are born in the United States with Congenital Heart Defects;

Whereas, some Congenital Heart Defects go undiagnosed until months or years after birth;

Whereas, undiagnosed Congenital Heart conditions may cause sudden cardiac death in young athletes, yet despite these statistics, newborns and young athletes are not routinely screened for Congenital Heart Defects;

Whereas, a disproportionately small amount of funding is available for Congenital Heart Defect research and support;

Whereas, Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week provides an opportunity for families whose lives have been affected by this defect to celebrate life, honor dedicated health professionals, and associate with others in order to understand how to better deal with this issue; and

Whereas, Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week provides an opportunity to share experience and information with the public, as well as the media, in order to raise public awareness about Congenital Heart Defects;

Now, Therefore, I Gary R. Herbert, Governor of the State of Utah do hereby declare February 7-14, 2010 as Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week