Highland Hospital and the American Heart Association Team Up for Little Hats, Big Hearts
Highland newborns will receive red hats to raise awareness about congenital heart disease.
Wednesday, February 3, 2016
There is nothing cuter than babies – except maybe dozens of babies in red hats! This February the American Heart Association, Rochester Chapter, is partnering with Highland Hospital to present each newborn with a red hat knit by local volunteers.
“Little Hats, Big Hearts,” is a nationwide campaign of the American Heart Association and Congenital Heart Awareness Week is February 7-14th. Congenital heart defects happen in almost 1% of newborns -- about 8 in 1,000 babies and is the leading cause of birth-defect related deaths in the U.S.
“It is important we all stand together and raise awareness to help save little hearts that have been affected by congenital heart defects,” said Stephen R. Van Arsdale, Board Chair, American Heart Association & Senior Vice President, Wegmans Food Markets. “The hats serve as a reminder that heart disease is the number one killer of Americans and that congenital heart defects are the most common type of birth defect in the country.”
More babies are born at Highland each year than any other hospital in Monroe County. “At Highland we routinely screen babies for congenital heart defects so treatment can begin as soon as possible,” said Crystal Dobri, RNC-MNN, BSN, IBCLC from Highland's Family Maternity Center-Mother/Baby and Special Care Nursery. “While we can't prevent congenital heart defects from occurring, we can provide simple, non-invasive screening for critical congenital heart defects. Early recognition and intervention help prevent poor outcomes such as heart failure and death.”
More states are requiring Pulse Oximetry testing to help save lives. Thanks to the advocacy efforts of the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association and volunteers, all newborns in New York State receive Pulse Oximetry testing to help detect congenital heart defects before they leave the hospital.
Volunteers have already contributed hundreds of hats for this initiative. Red hats will be collected year-round by the American Heart Association for distribution next year at 25 Circle Street, Suite 102, Rochester, NY 14607.