MANKATO, Minn. -
Approximately 1 in 100 babies born in the United States each year will have a congenital heart defect. To celebrate CHD Awareness week, a local non–profit called Lasting Imprint invited families affected by the birth defect in Mankato to share stories and encouragement, and have a little fun.
Amy and Clint Smith's son Treynor was born with a congenital heart defect called truncus arteriosus.
Smith says, "We didn't know anything about congenital heart defects until then and I think that's the case with most people and that is why events like this and groups like this are so important to raise awareness."
Lasting Imprint is committed to fighting congenital heart defects by funding research, educating communities, and helping families affected by defects.
Lasting Imprint's executive director Angela Heidelbeger says, "There is a lot of things that come with having a child with a heart defect."
Like multiple surgeries, hospital stays, feeding issues.
Heidelbeger says, "And it is hard for people that haven't been there to understand, so this is really a special time for all of us to get together and share those stories and encouragement for whatever lies ahead for those families."
Smith says, "Its just really encouraging, its encouraging to see older kids that have been through several surgeries and pulled through like troupers.
Minnesota's Deputy Commissioner of Health Jim Koppel stopped by with more encouragement. This year the state of MN is going to add congenital heart defects to the list of conditions hospitals screen for.
Koppel says, "We are excited about that and I wanted to share that news with these families that are so interested in preventing and fixing heart defects."
While most of the families here have suffered loss or have a long road ahead of them, days like today making it a little easier.
Smith says, "It's just really reassuring to be around other folks that understand and can be there for the support."
For more information about Lasting Impring go to http://lastingimprint.org/.
