Contact Information: Contact: Corrie Stassen Executive Director It's My Heart 713.584.5250
Houston to Host It's My Heart's First Annual National Family Conference on Congenital Heart Defects
Conference to Focus on Challenges of American Families Affected by Congenital Heart Defects
| Source: It's My Heart
HOUSTON, TX--(Marketwire - May 28, 2009) - More than one million American families cope
with congenital heart
defects, but the enormous obstacles they face remain out of the public
spotlight. The non-profit organization, It's My Heart, is working to change
that, organizing a conference devoted especially to the challenges these
families face and the opportunities offered by medical advances.
It's
My Heart's First Annual National Family Conference Weekend is scheduled
June 26-28. The event's centerpiece is a day-long educational conference on
Saturday, June 27th that coincides with a unique conference especially for
children. The country duo O'Shea, featuring singer, song-writer and
congenital heart defect survivor Mark O'Shea, will also perform at the
conference Saturday.
Other weekend events include a Friday night Meet & Greet for families and a
day of fun at the Houston Zoo on Sunday.
"This conference will help everyone affected by CHD by providing everyone
who participates with tools to be better advocates both medically and in
the community," said Corrie Stassen, executive director with It's My Heart.
"Bringing all these families together will also be special because sharing our experiences with
each other is an important way to connect and learn."
Conference presentations will delve into
topics ranging from surgery and treatments to advances in genetic research.
Congenital heart defects are the most common birth defect. 35,000 babies
are born in the U.S. each year with some type of congenital heart defect.
Nearly twice as many children die from congenital heart disease in the
United States each year as die from all forms of childhood cancers
combined.
Registration is $30 for one participant or $50 for two. Each family can
register up to two children ages five and up for the Children's Conference
at no additional cost. Register at
www.itsmyheart.org/get-involved/chd-conference-2009.
Sponsors of the First Annual National Family Conference on Congenital Heart
Disease include Cypress Fiairbanks Medical Center Hospital, Epicurean
Catering Company, jetBlue Airways, Noise New Media, Starbucks Coffee and
Texas Children's Hospital.
About It's My Heart
It's My Heart is a 501©(3) organization created to provide support,
spread awareness, educate and advocate for those affected by Acquired and
Congenital Heart Defects by creating alliances with fellow families,
hospitals, support groups and the community. For more information, visit
www.itsmyheart.org.