Friend
I am writing to encourage you to bring attention to a very prevalent condition in our society that affects thousands of children each year - Congenital Heart Defects. Congenital Heart Defects (CHDs) affect one in every 125 children born, and are currently the most common birth defect. I'm not here to tell you about the statistics, however; I just recently learned them myself. In fact until just a few years ago, I had no idea what a congenital heart defect was - I didn't realize how prevalent they were or how many babies are born each year facing significant challenges so early in life.
I first came to know what a CHD was when my best friend since childhood called to tell me they had found out some frightening news about their baby. While still in my friend Jen's womb, the doctors were able to tell that her unborn son Andrew, whom she and her husband had prayed for and struggled to conceive for years, had Tetrology of Fallot, a congenital heart defect. All I was able to understand at first was that her baby's life was in danger, because his heart had not been formed like other baby's hearts, and that this CHD would require that he receive multiple surgeries during his lifetime, including a risky surgery when he was just days old. It was definitely frightening news, something you would never expect to hear or have to face during what should be such a joyful time in life, while expecting your first child.
I felt terrible for Jen, having hoped for this baby for so long only to find out this scary news. Since that day, though, she has only rarely shown that fear. I have seen her face this challenge with an inner strength I honestly never knew she had. In fact I doubt she knew the depths of the strength she's found within her, because she had never before had to face something like this. But it's amazing what a mother can do for her child, and how hard she will fight to help him. Jen has devoted every second of her spare time to helping her son - not only by being by his side through the multiple surgeries and procedures he's already undergone in less than three years of life, but by sharing his story and soliciting support for research for CHDs.
Since her son was born Jen has raised money each year for the American Heart Association to support research for CHDs. I'm not sure if she had ever raised money for any other charitable cause before, but she is dedicated to this for her son's sake. Not only does she help support the American Heart Association, she also helps numerous local organizations that support other families in her situation. She is only one person, though - even though more people know about CHDs from her sharing her son's story than otherwise would, I am hoping Andrew's story, and the story of the other thousands of children that are born with CHDs each year, can be shared on a broader scale, so more people will know what CHDs are and how they can help families with children born with CHDs.
That's where you come in. Ms. Winfrey, you probably have more public influence than almost any other person in popular culture right now. Millions of people know who you are, respect your opinion, look up to you and get behind the causes you support. I am hoping you will help my best friend Jen and her son, Andrew, along with all the other thousands of babies born with CHDs each year and their families, by bringing more attention to CHDs. If you'd like to learn more about Jen and the journey she and her brave little boy Andrew have gone through in these last three years, I encourage you to visit her carepage, where she blogs about Andrew's experiences with CHD and her journey as a mother of a child with a CHD. Her carepage is located at www.carepages.com, under the name AndrewHuegel.
Thank you so much for your consideration, Ms. Winfrey - I hope you will consider bringing attention to this important issue affecting so many families and children today, because I know that with your help more people will become aware of and support research for CHDs, which hopefully in the future will help more children with CHDs live longer and healthier lives.
Sincerely,
Carrie Eisnaugle