DALLAS, Jan. 26, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Next month during CHD Awareness Week (Feb. 7-14), runners from around the world will be sending out a ROAR for Congenital Heart Disease awareness by participating in the Mended Little Hearts 2016 Roar 'N Run Virtual Charity Race. Every year about 1 in 110 (40,000) babies are born with a congenital heart defect (CHD), making it the most common type of birth defect in the USA.i About 1 in 4 of those children will need heart surgery or medical intervention to survive and require lifelong specialized care. Most people are unaware of these astonishing facts, so the Roar 'N Run Virtual Charity Race is designed to bring awareness of CHD and the effect it has on children and families. Funds raised through this fun event are used to directly support families with children in the hospital including Mended Little Hearts' Bravery Bag Program, parent resource materials, and peer-to-peer support programs. Anyone can join the race and spread awareness in your community and around the world about this often invisible disease. "Family members call and email us often--even many years after receiving Mended Little Hearts support—to tell us how much it meant to them to know someone cared during some of their most difficult moments," said Jodi Lemacks, National Program Director. "Often they cry when they tell us because it is such a strong emotional connection. The Roar 'N Run helps us reach even more families like these who need our services." This virtual event is for the whole family and allows participants to choose their distance of 5K, 10K, 13.1 miles or 26.2 miles. Participants can walk, jog or run their chosen distance – anywhere they want – over the course of CHD Awareness Week. Registration is $25 (kids under 16 are $15) and every registrant receives a commemorative medal. You can create a team and fundraise too. To learn more about the event or to register, go to https://www.crowdrise.com/roarnrunvirtualrace i Congenital Heart Defects. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2015, December 22). Retrieved January 22, 2016, from http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/heartdefects/data.html
Mandy Sandkuhler Communications Manager 888-432-7899
