The New York State Senate today passed legislation (S.7247) sponsored by Senator Bill Larkin (R-C, Cornwall-on-Hudson) that would designate February fourteenth each year as "Congenital Heart Defects Awareness Day."

"By establishing a statewide day of commemoration for this serious condition that affects so many families, we hope to help increase awareness about congenital heart defects," said Senator Larkin. "This is a special effort to give support to those families that have suffered the loss of a child because of this health problem.

The organization, "It's My Heart," states that congenital heart defects (CHD's) are the number one serious birth defect that affects babies born in the United States. It is estimated that 1 in every 100 babies has such a condition and that number affects approximately 40,000 children each year. Twice as many children die each year from CHD's than from all forms of childhood cancers combined.

The bill was sent to the Assembly.