Strong Memorial and Highland Hospitals Team Up with the American Heart Association for Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week during February

The only thing cuter than a newborn baby is a baby in a red hat! This February, newborns at Strong Memorial and Highland Hospitals will receive a red hat knit by local volunteers to raise awareness about congenital heart disease. Congenital Heart Awareness Week is February 7-14th. According to the CDC, congenital heart defects affect nearly 1 in every 100 babies born every year in the United States and are the most common type of birth defect.

“Every baby born at Strong Memorial and Highland Hospital is screened 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. “Congenital heart defects can’t be prevented, but with simple, non-invasive screening, critical defects can be recognized early and treatment can help prevent heart failure or death.”

To raise awareness of congenital heart defects, this February the American Heart Association, Rochester Chapter, is providing Strong Memorial and Highland Hospitals red hats knitted by local volunteers to present to each newborn.  “Little Hats, Big Hearts,” is a nationwide campaign of the American Heart Association and locally sponsored by Clark Patterson Lee. 

“Through the work of the American Heart Association and advancements made through research, more infants are surviving congenital heart defects. We are proud to support research funding through Strong Memorial and Highland Hospitals and have them amongst the hospitals supporting the Little Hats, Big Hearts program,” Kathy Clas, 2016-2017 American Heart Association Board Chair and Vice President of Global Business Operations, Kodak Alaris.

Last year, about 900 tiny red hats were donated to Highland Hospital by volunteer knitters from across Western New York. In February 2016, the 220 babies born at Highland’s Family Maternity Center all received red hats before heading home. This is Strong Memorial Hospital’s first year participating in the program. Red hats will be collected again this year by the American Heart Association for distribution next year at 25 Circle Street, Suite 102, Rochester, NY 14607.