Letter to the White House

For those of you who have not heard, President Obama proclaimed February 2011 as American Heart Month. While this proclamation is well-intentioned, President Obama omitted over a million Americans who are more than deserving of some respect and recognition. And so, I, along with several other heart moms and dads, sent letters, emails and made phone calls to the President and White House staffers over the last 48 hours.

My words to the White House:

As a staunch supporter of President Obama, I was disappointed to see that his Proclamation of American Heart Month 2011 gave absolutely no recognition to children and adults living with Congenital Heart Defects. Part of President Obama's health care reform includes the Congenital Heart Future's Act, which is desperately needed to advance awareness and research of CHDs - the #1 birth defect in our great nation.

My daughter, Zoe Madison, was born with a congenital heart defect called Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. Her left ventricle is underdeveloped and nonfunctioning. She's had two open heart surgeries and will require a third before her 3rd birthday.

CHDs affect one in 100 births and are the leading cause of death in infants. Please, do not let CHDs go on as a silent killer for our children. Give my daughter, and the millions of Americans (both living and those that lost their battle) with CHDs their due respect - include and acknowledge them in the Heart Month Proclamation. They are heart warriors and deserve the respect of our nation's leader.

Sincerely,

Stacey Lihn


If you'd like to support the congenital heart defect community, please let your voice be heard by sending an email to the White House or call its comment line at (202) 456-1111.

And remember, Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week is February 7th through the 14th. What are you doing to raise awareness for the Millions who are so-easily (and sadly) forgotten?