WHEATON, MD (April 11, 2018) – To support, honor and remember the millions of children, adults and families impacted by congenital heart disease (CHD), the 2018 DC.MAR.VA. Congenital Heart Walk will be held at Wheaton Regional Park in Wheaton, MD on April 28, starting at 8:45 a.m.
“Over the years and decades, the survival and quality of survival of congenital heart disease patients has steadily improved. Advances in CHD have occurred as the result of clinical experience, clinical research, and basic research,” noted Dr. Stanley Beder, 2018 DCMARVA Congenital Heart Walk Honorary Chair. “The future of CHD patients looks brighter and better with each passing year but will only continue to improve with more research. The Congenital Heart Walks are therefore critically important in order to raise awareness of CHD and raise more money for CHD research so that we can continue to further advance the quality of life for all CHD patients.”
The Congenital Heart Walk is an ongoing national effort between the Adult Congenital Heart Association (ACHA) and The Children’s Heart Foundation (CHF). In 2018, more than 18,000 walkers will gather in 26 communities across the United States with the goal of raising much needed funds to benefit cutting-edge CHD research, patient/professional education programs, and advocacy initiatives. Congenital heart defects (CHDs) affect about 1 in 100 births.
“The Children’s Heart Foundation is grateful for the generosity of the thousands of walkers and supporters across the country,” said Joe Brownlee, Interim Executive Director of CHF. “Their efforts enable CHF to fund research that will advance the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of CHDs and enable babies born with CHDs to live longer, healthier lives.” Mark Roeder, President and CEO of ACHA, added, “As we continue to elevate the standard of quality, comprehensive care through the ACHA ACHD Accreditation program, the dollars generously donated by our thousands of walkers, as well as their supporters, enable us to expand our education and advocacy efforts nationwide.”
The 1.5-mile walk along the park includes refreshments, music/entertainment and fun activities for all ages. DC.MAR.VA Congenital Heart Walk is expected to bring together more than 700 participants from all across D.C., Maryland and Virginia as they join forces to help tackle the most common birth defect in the world: CHDs.
For more details or to registration for the walk, please visit www.congenitalheartwalk.org.
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