“Little Hats, Big Hearts” program also reminds moms to take care of their hearts
Joplin, Mo. – According to American Heart Association® (AHA), one in one hundred babies is born with a congenital heart defect. To raise awareness, Freeman Health System has teamed up with AHA, in connection with The Children’s Heart Foundation™, for the “Little Hats, Big Hearts™” program. The program provides knitted or crocheted red hats to babies born at Freeman during the month of February, which is American Heart Month.
“These hats may be little, but their message is big,” said Paula F. Baker, Freeman President and Chief Executive Officer. “Congenital heart defects are the most common birth defects in infants. We hope these hats inspire moms to live heart-healthy lives and help their children do the same.”
In addition to raising awareness of congenital heart defects, each hat is packaged with tips for parents to help keep their children healthy. They include not using tobacco, reducing sodium intake and following a healthy diet and exercise regimen.
All hats are knitted or crocheted by volunteers and then given to AHA for washing and drying. The hats are then packaged in a kit with health information and delivered to hospitals for distribution. Representatives with AHA will deliver 240 red hat kits to be distributed to newborns at Freeman at 10:00 am Wednesday, January 30, at Freeman Hospital West Atrium.
“Little Hats, Big Hearts” began in 2014 in Chicago, Ill., where it collected 300 hats in the first year. It has expanded to volunteers knitting hats in more than 40 states. Hats must be made with red cotton or acrylic yarn, medium to heavy weight, and must be machine washable and dryable.
