BIRMINGHAM – Heart disease doesn’t affect just adults. For children in need of specialized cardiovascular care, families can turn to the experts at the Pediatric and Congenital Heart Center of Alabama at Children’s of Alabama, one of the largest pediatric cardiovascular programs in the Southeast.

The team provides pediatric cardiac care for more than 12,000 patients a year. Staff performed more than 700 cardiac catheterizations and electrophysiology procedures and more than 450 cardiovascular surgeries in 2018. From 2015-2018, there have been 35 heart transplants. The center includes 20 private CVICU rooms, 16 private CCU rooms, two cardiovascular operating rooms and two catheterization labs.

“We are proud of the collaborative multidisciplinary partnership that has developed among the cardiologists, cardiac intensivists, CV anesthesiologists and CV surgeons in the delivery of patient and family-centered care,” said Division Director Yung Lau, M.D. a pediatric cardiologist at Children’s and the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). “Our team of more than 250 dedicated professionals who work at the Pediatric and Congenital Heart Center of Alabama are committed to providing world-class cardiac care for our patients.”

This “heart hospital within a hospital” represents a five-decade tradition of superior cardiovascular clinical care and research dedicated solely to children. This single platform of care includes surgeons, intensivists, cardiologists and many others, including nurses, social workers, child life specialists, counselors, nutritionists, occupational and physical therapists and chaplains.

Heart defects are the most common birth defects, and most heart defects have no known cause. Congenital heart disease (CHD) affects about 40,000 births per year in the United States, or about one percent of all births. CHD kills more children each year than all the cancers combined and is the top killer of children born with developmental abnormalities. Survival of infants with CHD and other congenital defects depends on how severe the defect is, when it is diagnosed and how it is treated.

In addition to the medical costs, families of children with congenital heart disease can face other costs, such as lifestyle changes, emotional stress, family uncertainty and being unable to return to work in order to care for their child.

Join Children’s of Alabama this February in recognizing National Heart Month and the child heroes in our care through the following events:

• The Mending Kids’ Hearts specialty tag can be purchased at any Alabama Department of Motor Vehicle location for a cost of $50 in addition to your normal tag cost. Of that $50, $41.25 will go to Children’s. When state residents renew or purchase a Mending Kids’ Hearts specialty car tag, they are providing valuable funds for patient care, research and specialized physician training for the Pediatric and Congenital Heart Center at Children’s. For more information about the Mending Kids’ Hearts specialty tag, visit childrensal.org/partner-with-us.
• Children’s Russell Building will be illuminated in red in honor of National Heart Month throughout February.
• Children’s website will feature a variety of videos about some of the young patients being treated for cardiovascular disease. The public is invited to visit childrensal.org/heart to meet these remarkable youngsters and donate online.
• The Child of Children’s campaign celebrates our patients through the years with a collection of stories which underscores the unique qualities of each Child of Children’s and the special place that is Children’s of Alabama. We invite you to read the stories of patients who have fought heart-related illness and injury at childrensal.org/child-of-childrens.
• Children’s Facebook page, Twitter feed, blog, podcast and YouTube channel will feature patient stories that spotlight patients, families and staff all month.
• Children’s will host the free Journey of the Heart cardiovascular conference to enhance the understanding of children with congenital or acquired heart disease at its Russell Campus on Wednesday, Feb. 13 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Seating is limited. Contact Paula Midyette at paula.midyette@childrensal.org for details.
• Looking for a special Valentine’s Day gift? Shop with AmazonSmile, and Amazon will make a donation to Children’s of Alabama. Visit smile.amazon.com and select “Children’s Hospital of Alabama.” For eligible purchases, the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate a percentage of the purchase price to Children’s.
• Planet Fundraiser is an app that enables you to raise funds for a cause through everyday purchases. Download the free app at planetfundraiser.com/get-the-app/ and select Children’s of Alabama. Shop at supporting merchants, snap a picture of the receipt and a percentage of the purchase will be given to Children’s.
• Tickets are on sale now for All in for Heart, a casino-style event to benefit the Pediatric Congenital Heart Center at Children’s of Alabama. The event is Thursday, Feb. 14 at 6:30 p.m. at The Pillars (1757 Government Street, Mobile, 36604). Tickets are $60 per person and $100 per couple. Visit give.childrensal.org/allinforheart for more event information.
• Registration is now open for the 4th Annual Captain D’s Castin’ ‘N Catchin’ presented by ADTRAN. This fishing tournament benefits the Pediatric and Congenital Heart Center at Children’s of Alabama and will be held Saturday, April 27 at Goose Pond Colony Resort (417 Ed Hembree Drive, Scottsboro, 35769). Online registration opens Feb. 1 at castinncatchin.org.

Since 1911, Children’s of Alabama has provided specialized medical care for ill and injured children, offering inpatient and outpatient services throughout central Alabama. Ranked among the best pediatric medical centers in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, Children’s provided care for youngsters from every county in Alabama, 42 other states and seven foreign countries last year, representing more than 677,000 outpatient visits and more than 15,000 inpatient admissions. With more than 2 million square feet, Children’s is one of the largest pediatric medical facilities in the United States. More information is available at childrensal.org.