CHD is congential heart defects, and what better day to bring awareness to the day devoted to all matters of the heart. I have a nephew who has HPLHS, hypo-plastic left heart syndrome. Basically his left ventricle was too small, so he went through three surgeries beginning when he was only four days old to make his four chamber heart a two chamber one.

He spent a lot of time in the hospital but is doing well today. He had his first surgery at four days old. His second surgery was when he was 9 months old. His third surgery was when he was about 2 years old. After each surgery, there was a lot of recovery time. Since his third surgery, he has really blossomed. He is a very normal kid and can do a lot of things that his brothers can do. He is in kindergarten and was recently named student of the month, which he is thrilled about.

1 in 5,000 babies are born with HPLHS, and this is only one congential heart defect. You can learn more about CHD Awareness Day through the official website.