Hats knitted and crocheted by volunteers for the American Heart Association as part of the Little Hats, Big Hearts^TM program

Volunteers for the American Heart Association are celebrating American Heart Month by knitting  and crocheting red hats for babies born at Speare Memorial Hospital in February.  Speare is participating in the Association’s Little Hats, Big Hearts program, which raises awareness of heart disease, the number one killer of Americans, and congenital heart defects, the most common type of birth defect in the country.

“Speare is proud to partner with the American Heart Association in support of raising awareness that congenital heart defects affect one in 100 babies,” said Dr. Mark Banister, OB-GYN at Speare Memorial Hospital. “The average person thinks heart disease only affects adults, but it affects babies too. Speare welcomes almost 200 babies into the world each year and we’re delighted to see the donation of so many little hats, which illustrates that heart disease comes in many shapes and sizes.”

This is the first year New Hampshire Hospitals are participating in the Little Hats, Big Hearts program, which provides hats to newborn babies in 34 states across the country. For more information please visit www.heart.org/NHLittleHatsBigHearts

American Heart Month is an annual celebration in February that began in 1963 to encourage Americans to join the battle against heart disease. A presidential proclamation pays tribute each year to researchers, physicians, public health professionals and volunteers for their tireless efforts in preventing, treating and researching heart disease.

ABOUT THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION

Founded in 1924, the American Heart Association is the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary health organization dedicated to building healthier lives, free of heart disease and stroke. To help prevent, treat and defeat these diseases — America’s No. 1 and No. 5 killers — the AHA fund cutting-edge research, conduct lifesaving public and professional educational programs, and advocate to protect public health. To learn more or join AHA in helping all Americans, call 1-800-AHA-USA1 or visit americanheart.org.