Congenital Heart Disease and Defect Awareness Week

By virtue of the authority vested by the Constitution of Virginia in the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, there is hereby officially recognized:

Congenital Heart Disease and Defect Awareness Week

WHEREAS, congenital heart defects are the most common birth defect in the United States impacting approximately 40,000 babies every year; and

WHEREAS, congenital heart disease consists of structural issues in the heart or blood vessels present at birth and can range from minor abnormalities to complex malformations; and

WHEREAS, in the United States, one in every four babies are born with a critical heart defect in need of surgery or other major operations within the first year of life; and

WHEREAS, the causes of heart defects among newborns are unknown, however, a combination of factors including genes, behaviors, and environmental harms can contribute to an increased risk for heart defects; and

WHEREAS, as medicine has advanced, CHD survival rates have improved in recent decades; and

WHEREAS, Virginia has created telehealth programs and virtual clinics to meet the needs of patients and families with CHD, bridging the gap in care and improving life-long health outcomes; and

WHEREAS, dedicated advocates collaborate with patients, families, providers, and partner organizations to improve quality outcomes through education, support, research, and awareness; and

WHEREAS, the Commonwealth supports the advocates and families impacted by CHD and recognizes the approximately 23 million Americans living with CHD; and

WHEREAS, Congenital Heart Disease and Defect Awareness Week highlights Virginia's commitment to the well-being of our communities' heart patients and their families;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Abigail Spanberger, do hereby recognize February 7-14, 2026, as CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE AND DEFECT AWARENESS WEEK in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.