Congenital Heart Walk Comes To Denver Oct. 28

DENVER, CO – Hundreds family members and friends of people with congenital heart disease will gather early next Sunday morning for the 2018 Denver Congenital Heart Walk at City Park Pavilion in Denver.

"I was born with CHD and have had four open heart surgeries," said Landon Brown, an adult participant who has CHD in a press release. " I'm walking to raise awareness and funding for those affected with CHD. I would like to recognize the health professionals that work in CHD and raise funds for advanced research. I am excited to help a great team bring attention to this important cause."

In 2018, more than 18,000 walkers will gather in 26 communities across the country to raise funds for cutting-edge CHD research, patient/professional education programs, and advocacy initiatives. Congenital heart defects (CHDs) affect about 1 in 100 births.

“The majority of the estimated 56,000 people with congenital heart defects living in Colorado are actually adults now," said Eliza Fernie, of the Colorado Adult Congenital Heart Association in a statement. Fergie said even though children born with heart defects can get excellent pediatric care at health centers such as Children’s Hospital Colorado and Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children, only 10 percent of adults who grew up with CHD are getting recommended care. "[W]e have so much work left to do, including increasing awareness of the need to continue care into adulthood,” she said.

The 1-mile walk along the park will include refreshments, music/entertainment and activities.

For more details or to register for a walk, please visit www.congenitalheartwalk.org.

Find out more here.

Image: Colorado participants in last year's Congenital Heart Walk via Adult Congenital Heart Association.