New Website

We have updated from a blog to a website!

You can now visit us at:
http://phoenix.mendedlittlehearts.net/

Please change your favorites to reflect our new website :)
Hope to "see" you there!

Make a Donation

You may have noticed the new "donation" button in the right column. This will allow you to directly make a donation to Mended Little Hearts of Phoenix using your paypal account.

The Facts

• 9 babies out of every 1,000 births will have some form of congenital cardiovascular defect
• Approximately 36,000 babies are born with a congenital cardiovascular defect each year
• About 1,000,000 Americans born with a congenital cardiovascular defect are alive today
• Congenital cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of infant death from birth defects
• From 1979-1997, the age-adjusted death rates from congenital cardiovascular defects dropped 39 percent, but 43 percent of deaths still occurred in infants less than one year
• Cardiovascular disease is the second leading cause of death for children age 15 and younger.
  

About the Mended Little Hearts program

• Parents with children who have been diagnosed with a congenital cardiovascular defect need to know that they are not alone and there is hope in the midst of their crisis. However, even well-meaning family and friends and compassionate medical staff may not be able to offer them the strength and comfort they need.
• By speaking with a trained parent volunteer whose family has survived this same difficult situation, parents in crisis can work through their overwhelming emotions as they focus on the vital medical decisions at hand.
• Through the support system and educational resources of the Mended Little Hearts, families will be able to develop an immediate connection and begin to build a sense of hope for the future.
  

Purpose of Mended Little Hearts

1. Offer support to family members and/or other caregivers of children affected with congenital and acquired cardiovascular disease.
2. Offer educational /health resources relating to congenital cardiovascular disease and well-being.
3. Raise awareness in the community about children and congenital cardiovascular disease and factors that may contribute to this disease.
   
   

Call to Action

If you are interested in learning more about Mended Little Hearts of Phoenix or about volunteer opportunities, please contact Kym Vierthaler at PhoenixAZ@mendedlittlehearts.org And you can now donate through PayPal by using the button on the right.

Your support is great appreciated!

January Meeting

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season!

Our next meeting will be Tuesday, January 27th from 7:00-8:30 p.m.

in the Windsor House of the Ronald McDonald House on Roanoke.

This month we will be creating a scrapbook craft

provided by Bazzill Basics Paper

and childcare will be available.

Please try and RSVP by January 25th

to Kym Vierthaler at kym.heartmom@yahoo.com

so that we will have enough supplies

and can offer the childcare person an accurate head count.

Thank you!

Hope to see you there :)

No December Meeting

With all of the holiday festivities

we will not be having a meeting in December.
Please join us again in January.

Our next meeting will be Tuesday, January 27, 2009

at the Ronald McDonald House on Roanoke Ave.

Family Day, Heart Talk

Saturday, February 7, 2009 is the next annual Family Day Heart Talk,

sponsored by the Nick & Kelly Children's Heart Fund http://nickandkellyfund.org/

This year the topics that will be focused on are:

Adult CHD - A Success Story

Adults Living Well with CHD, panel

Parenting your Child with CHD

Medical Technology

Cardiac Catheterization

Pacemakers

This is a free conference held at the Phoenix Zoo from 8:30-12:30

There will be activities available for children 5 years and older.

You can print out a registration form

http://nickandkellyfund.org/familyheart.pdf

Cold and Flu Season

I want to thank Stacy Grohill for joining us for our November meeting!

Stacy Grohill is an acute care PNP at St. Joseph Hospital and Medical Center in the pediatric cardiac ICU. She presented the best ways to keep our children healthy during this cold and flu season.

The predictions are for this year to be a "flu" year, where the flu is seen more than R.S.V. Of course please take all precautions to safeguard your children for both.

Her reccomendations are as follows:

• teach children to cough/sneeze into their sleeve
• wash hands or use hand sanitizer
• keep well hydrated at all times (even if not sick)
• avoid hugely populated places

R.S.V.

• Children up to the age of 2 may be eligible for Synagis Injections. This is a monthly shot taken every 30 days and is given based upon the child's weight

Flu

• There is the option of a flu shot. Please note that it takes 15-20 days to become effective. If your child is showing any cold symptoms wait to get the shot. And DO NOT get the flu shot if there is a history of past adverse reactions or allergies to eggs, latex or dairy.

**And be sure to wait at least 6 weeks post-op before having your child get any immunizations**

If you have any further questions about cold and flu season feel free to contact Stacy Grohill at Stacey.Grohall@chw.edu

November Meeting

Our next meeting is Tuesday, November 25 from 7:00-8:30 at the Ronald McDonald House on Roanoke.

This month we will be discussing ways to keep our children healthy during the flu and cold season.

We will be joined by Stacey Grohall, an acute care PNP at St Joseph Hospital and Medical Center in the pediatric cardiac ICU.

She will be sharing her expert advice with us.

We hope you can join us!