Although Congenital Heart Defects (CHD) impact millions of people, they seem to be a hidden epidemic. If you have an opportunity to talk with people about CHD, you will find that many people know someone who was born with a heart defect. But, until now, our community did not have a symbol to indicate that CHD is important to us. Women’s heart disease has the Red Dress. Autism has the Puzzle Piece. Now CHD has the Red Balloon!
The mission of the Red Balloon 4 Heart Defects Campaign is to brand all of the Congenital Heart Defect community and resources under one united symbol ~ The Red Balloon. The CHD community is a strong and passionate one. Through the symbol of the Red Balloon we can find unity and develop a more powerful vehicle to increase awareness, connect, collaborate, educate and advocate.
The Red Balloon will soon be an instant symbol to all when they see it to pay attention because they are encountering something connected to Congenital Heart Defects. Whether it is a person wearing a Red Balloon item to show their support for CHD or a document that bears a Red Balloon signifying that it has information about Congenital Heart Defects, anyone impacted by CHD’s will immediately take notice.
The Red Balloon is an opportunity to educate the general public about CHD’s and a chance to connect those affected by Congenital Heart Defects to resources that are important to them.
The Red Balloon inspires one to think of possibilities. It is not gender specific, it has the whimsy of childhood but is not childish. It is a symbol that can be embraced by young and old, male and female. It inspires us to connect, collaborate, educate and advocate for those affected by heart defects, because EVERY heart deserves a lifetime.