Making the public aware

This is Layla Quinones. She is seven years old. Quinones wants to let everyone know that February 7-14 is CHD (congenital heart defect) Awareness week.

Congenital heart defects are the number one birth defect in the United States. One in every 110 are born with one or more CHD's. This is not just a birth defect but a life-long condition requiring specialized care. These heart abnormalities are problems that occur as the baby's heart is developing during pregnancy, before the baby is born.

Congenital heart disease is a general term for a range of birth defects that affect the normal way the heart works. The term "congenital" means the condition is present from birth. Many children with congenital heart defects don't need treatment, but others do. Treatment can include medicines, catheter procedures, surgery, and heart transplants. The treatment depends on the type of the defect, how severe it is, and a child's age, size, and general health.

There is no cure for CHD. Many people have surgeries to repair their heart, however, they are not cured. There may be long-term effects of heart surgery, such as abnormal heartbeats

This is a very personal issue to Layla as she was born with a congenital heart defect and a cardiac mass. Awareness is vital to making a better life for children and adults living with CHD.