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Health and Wellness

Why You Should Wear Red This February

Help raise awareness for Congenital Heart Defects

Lauren Landry

Feb 07, 2017

Eastern Connecticut State University

Lauren Landry

While you were watching the Super Bowl this past weekend, 16 children were born with a heart defect in the United States.

For those of you who wore red this past Friday (Feb 3rd) I THANK YOU for helping me spread the awareness of heart-related illness!

1 in 100 babies are born with heart defects every year, that's a total of 40,000 infants born every year with a Congenital Heart Defect.

Every February, around the world awareness for Congenital Heart Defect is spread.

This February, I encourage you to spread awareness in any way that you can. Wear red, tell someone about why they should support the American Heart Association, or support their efforts in funding for yourself! The funding they do each and every day is helping to make strides around the world in awareness. Why not join in on the movement to spread awareness?

You may be thinking, why is some 19-year-old girl in college so concerned about spreading awareness. Well, I am impacted by CHD myself. After undergoing 3 open heart surgeries and countless hospitalizations I have come to the realization that if there were more research and awareness for this, hopefully, some day there could be a cure.

The funding that has already been completed has impacted many lives. Over time, children affected by this have a better chance at survival just thanks to the improvements in technology in the operating rooms.

Although I live with a heart defect and I am unable to play sports and keep up with others as much as I would like too, I still manage to live my life to the fullest each and every day. Although I am impacted, and I am living a healthy lifestyle right now, that does not mean that others with CHD are doing the same. Everyone has a different story when it comes to their heart defect. Many even have multiple heart defects.

Support me and many others this upcoming week once again this February 7th-14th during CHD AWARENESS WEEK.

With all of my heart (the half that works)

Lauren Landry (CHD survivor)

donate now!

Heart.org.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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Why You Should Wear Red This February

Help raise awareness for Congenital Heart Defects

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Think of everything that you've heard about college... and completely forget it.

1. If you thought that you knew how to study, you're wrong.

2. So you're living with a stranger...

3. You will lose some of your high school friends.

4. New friends are amazing!

5. You will feel like a visitor at home.

6. Embrace the party scene... or not.

7. FOMO is very real and you will feel every bit of it.

8. A good-night's sleep? What is that?

9. The "Freshman 15" is a myth... Sort of.

10. There's nothing better than a fresh start.

11. Yes, it will be the best years of your life!

Moms: the only reason voicemail still exists.

1. Leaves you voice mails.

2. When you answer, the phone says, "Hey it's Mom!", even though you have caller ID.

3. Tells you things about your friends she found out on Facebook.

4. Fast-forwards through sex scenes.

5. Asks you what really provocative song lyrics mean.

6. Comments on everything you post online.

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8. Tells you what she had for dinner when you aren't home.

9. Asks you the same question over and over.

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11. Tells you you need to start eating more.

12. Snoops on your life.

13. Wakes you up in the morning in that annoying calm voice.

14. Tells you she's proud of you about everything.

15. Uses lingo in the dorkiest way.

16. Asks you to vote for her favorite contestants on 'American Idol,' 'Dancing with the Stars,' or 'The Voice.'

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Blonde hair, don't care!

1. Mentally preparing yourself to convince your hair dresser that white is the way to go.

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5. The face you make in the mirror when you take off your towel to unveil the perfect white strands.

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7. Having to get bangs or a big chop because your hair is so damaged.

8. Having orange highlights in between touch-ups.

9. Going out for a drink afterwards to debut your updated look.

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"Uh? Eating? Am I Eating? Yeah..."

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