SR0054 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0054 LRB095 09033 KXB 29224 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Congenital Heart Defects are the most frequently occurring birth defect and the leading cause of birth defect related deaths worldwide; and

WHEREAS, Although each year 40,000 babies are born in the United States with Congenital Heart Defects (CHDs), newborns with potentially life-threatening conditions are not routinely screened; and

WHEREAS, Nearly twice as many children die from congenital heart defects as from all childhood cancers combined, yet research for cancer receives five times the funding; and

WHEREAS, Many cases of sudden cardiac death in young athletes are caused by undiagnosed CHDs and Childhood-Onset Heart Disease; and

WHEREAS, Raising awareness about CHDs is important; it will provide hope for families of CHD survivors and comfort to those whose loved ones have lost their battles; it will inform the general public about the symptoms of CHDs and possibly save lives; and it will affirm the need for increased funding to researchers and medical professionals so they can continue their work to improve the outlook for CHD patients; and

WHEREAS, The month of February has been designated as Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Month; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we declare February of each year to be Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Month in the State of Illinois, and we encourage all citizens to increase awareness, education, and services for Congenital Heart Defects which each year affect thousands of babies in Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Kathleen Mappa, Group Coordinator of Big Dreams for Little Hearts in Chicago.