CHD Awareness Week

Congenital Heart Defect (CHD) Awareness Week is held each year from Feb. 7-14 to recognize children and adults living with congenital heart disease, celebrate their journey and increase public awareness of these heart conditions. During this week, the Children’s Heart Center holds events for patients, families and the community to:

• Provide hope for families of CHD survivors and comfort to those who have lost a loved one.
• Inform the general public about the symptoms of CHDs to help save lives.
• Affirm the need for increased funding to researchers and medical professionals so they can improve the outlook for CHD patients.

The Heart Center and Kids at Heart Program at Children’s encourage you to participate in our virtual and in-person events to help raise awareness about CHDs within our communities, as well as meet and connect with others on a similar journey. Browse our resources and events below, and join us in celebrating our CHD warriors.

What is congenital heart disease?

Congenital heart diseases, also known as congenital heart defects or CHDs, are birth defects that affect the structure of a baby’s heart and the way it works. It is the most common birth defect, with approximately 1% of newborns born with a CHD each year. Of those born with a CHD, 1 in 4 infants typically need surgery or other procedures in their first year of life. CHD treatment helps kids live into adulthood, and today, there are more than 2.4 million heart warriors, or children and adults living with CHDs, in the U.S.

*For sharing on social media, please tag @kidsatheartchoa on Facebook and #CHDChildrensATL.

• Feb. 3: CHD Awareness Family Support Dinner and Celebration—Enjoy face painting, games, crafts and fun with other heart families at Arthur M. Blank Hospital from 6 to 8 p.m. This event is open to both inpatient and outpatient Kids at Heart families. Please email kidsatheart@choa.org to RSVP or learn more.

• Feb. 5: Cookies for Kids. We are thrilled to share that Chick-fil-A Atlanta generously raised $195,000 to support Kids at Heart programs.
  Fill out or color this thank you note and deliver it to your local Chick-fil-A restaurant to let them know how much their support means to our families and programs.
• Feb. 6: National Wear Red Day - Take part in this annual event dedicated to raising awareness about heart disease. Wear red and tag us in your pictures on social media*
• Feb. 7: Share the Children’s CHD Awareness Graphic on social media or send emails to family and friends to kick off CHD Awareness week. Update your social media profiles using a CHD Awareness Graphic.
• Feb. 11: CHD Awareness at the Georgia State Capitol - Share the 2026 Proclamation that states “February 7-14 is CHD Awareness Week in the State of Georgia”. Reach out to your local legislators to make sure they know they have a heart warrior living in their district.
• Feb. 13: Always in our Hearts: Today we remember the heart warriors who left us too soon. Post a photo and a memory of a warrior you want to honor with our community.
• Feb. 14: We also encourage all to participate in Lights of Love event at Arthur M. Blank, Scottish Rite or Hughes Spalding hospitals.

Children’s Kids at Heart families are invited to join us for our 2026 CHD Awareness Celebration

Saturday, March 7, 2026 from 3:30 to 6:30pm

There are many ways you can help us provide a better future for our heart patients. Whether fundraising on your own, donating directly or participating in events that benefit the Children’s Heart Center, you can play a valuable role in increasing awareness and support.

• Add a CHD Awareness 2026 Graphic to your social media profile.
• Donate to support the Heart Center and CHD Awareness.
• Purchase a CHD Awareness shirt.
• Share your warrior’s story at school/church/community group using this letter.
• Heart Swap! Display or purchase a heart yard sign to support the Heart Center/Heart Warrior Community!

Read Heart Warrior Stories

You can read patient stories on the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Cardiology blog.

Join our Support Group

Are you the parent or guardian of a child treated who has been treated for a CHD? Enroll in our support group and join our private Facebook group to connect with other families.

• Support Group
• Facebook group (you must request access first)

Learn about CHD’s

As the largest pediatric heart program in the Southeast, the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Heart Center provides comprehensive diagnosis, treatment and management of CHDs in children every day. Browse our website if you would like to learn more about the different types of CHDs and how they are treated, or to learn more about the Children’s Heart Center.