Community Educational Outreach Service (CEOS) groups and volunteers from around the region have joined the American Heart Association to help celebrate American Heart Month by knitting and crocheting red hats to distribute to babies born at United Hospital Center (UHC). 

 

Little Hats, Big Hearts program raises awareness of the dangers of stroke and congenital heart defects. It is also meant to honor moms, babies, and heart healthy lives in a special way.

 

“Our local American Heart Association (AHA) has indicated that UHC is the first hospital in West Virginia with a grass roots effort, undertaken solely by volunteers, to bring Little Hats, Big Hearts to a hospital from start to finish,” said Denise Steffich, volunteer coordinator at UHC.  “We greatly appreciate all the volunteers who are knitting or crocheting red hats, without their support, this would not be possible.”

 

Little Hats, Big Hearts began in Chicago in 2014. The project has grown to include 460 hospitals in 40 states. In addition to using red hats to raise awareness of heart disease and congenital heart defects, Little Hats, Big Hearts also drives awareness for the American Heart Association.

 

“Heart disease and stroke are the number one and number five leading causes of death in America,” said Cheryl Farley, RN, BSN, Cardiac Rehab and Pulmonary Rehab manager at UHC. “It is an honor to be one of the hospitals receiving this donation, as it is crucial to bring awareness to heart disease.”

 

According to the American Heart Association 90 percent of women have at least one risk factor for cardiovascular disease and congenital heart defects (CHD) are the number one most frequent birth defect affecting approximately eight out of 1000 infants born annually. Congenital heart defects are structural problems with the heart present at birth.

 

“UHC, along with the American Heart Association and great community volunteers, are raising awareness, providing resources, and inspiring the community to take their heart health to heart,” said Lee Ann Romeo, RNC, lactation counselor OB/GYN at UHC. “Together, we are advocating for change and a healthier lifestyle.”

 

The AHA is also accepting donations to support the program, including yarn, for those who would like to contribute but do not knit or crochet. For more information about Little Hats, Big Hearts please visit www.heart.org/littlehatsbighearts.