The DCM Foundation Is Teaming up with the Children’s Cardiomyopathy Foundation to Call Attention to a Deadly Heart Disease
The DCM Foundation is proud to partner with the Children’s Cardiomyopathy Foundation (CCF) to promote Children’s Cardiomyopathy Awareness Month throughout the month of September. The
awareness month calls attention to the signs, symptoms, and risk factors for cardiomyopathy and sudden cardiac arrest. Cardiomyopathy is a chronic and potentially life-threatening disease that affects the heart’s ability to pump blood through the body.
Diagnosing children with cardiomyopathy can be challenging because symptoms are not always obvious. Often referred to as a “silent killer,” those with cardiomyopathy who are not diagnosed face a higher risk of sudden cardiac death, particularly if they are a competitive athlete. According to the American Heart Association, each year more than 7,000 children suffer a sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), and 90% are fatal.
The Children’s Cardiomyopathy Awareness Month encourages parents, physicians, nurses, coaches, teachers, and community leaders to be aware of the signs and symptoms of cardiomyopathy to better identify at-risk children and direct them to the appropriate medical care. Increased attention in this area can help to prevent sudden death.
“As students head back to school in September, we encourage parents and school officials to learn more about pediatric cardiomyopathy and to be prepared for any cardiac emergency,” said Lisa Yue, the founding executive director of CCF who lost two children to cardiomyopathy. “Evaluating your family’s history of cardiovascular disease is equally important in preventing unnecessary deaths. Many times, families are unaware that someone in their family had a heart condition and died young or suddenly.”
“We are pleased to partner with the Children’s Cardiomyopathy Foundation on this important awareness initiative in September. We hope to educate others about the seriousness of cardiomyopathy and the measures that need to be taken to protect youth from sudden cardiac death. We ask the public to take the time to learn about their cardiac family history and visit www.geneticcardiomyopathy.org to learn more about the genetics of cardiomyopathy.” added Greg Ruf, Executive Director of DCM Foundation.
For more information about pediatric cardiomyopathy, please visit www.childrenscardiomyopathy.org.
About the Children’s Cardiomyopathy Foundation
The Children’s Cardiomyopathy Foundation (CCF) is a national organization focused on finding causes and cures for pediatric cardiomyopathy. The Foundation was established in 2002 to accelerate research and education, increase public awareness and advocacy, and offer support services to affected families. Since then, CCF has grown into a global community of families, physicians, and scientists, raising more than $16.7 million in support of its mission.