Parents of children living with congenital heart defects often struggle to find the resources they need to feel a part of their child’s medical future.

Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are the most common form of birth defect among American infants, with more than 40,000 babies born each year in the U.S. with a serious, underlying heart condition. A new initiative by the non-profit Mended Little Hearts and St. Jude Medical, Inc., a global medical device manufacturer, will offer an important new online resource for parents and caregivers of children undergoing pediatric cardiology procedures.

The Mended Little Heart Guide will provide accurate and reliable information and much-needed support and educational resources at a critical time for families of children affected by CHD. This online resource will empower parents and caregivers with educational information in one comprehensive guide, written and reviewed by medical professionals and edited by parents and caregivers of children with congenital heart disease.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with St. Jude Medical and developing a practical resource to help parents cope with and navigate the CHD diagnosis,” said Jodi Lemacks, national program director of Mended Little Hearts who is also the mother of a child living with a heart defect. “The Mended Little Heart Guide will be made freely available online and easily accessible for parents, caregivers and hospitals to use virtually anywhere.”

Mended Little Hearts plays a significant role in the lives of families with children diagnosed with CHDs. Through its support group meetings, health education to communities, advocacy for policy and one-on-one visits from parents who have endured the same journey, the organization provides answers for families learning their child will receive a life-saving medical device or procedure.

St. Jude Medical is a market leader in the research, design and development of electrophysiology and interventional cardiology solutions for pediatric patients worldwide. The company’s mechanical heart valves have long been the gold standard for replacing a failing heart valve and in February St. Jude Medical announced the launch of the HALO U.S. IDE clinical trial for pediatric patients in need of mitral valve replacement.

“At St. Jude Medical, we are dedicated to giving children the big breakthroughs they deserve,” said Dr. Mark Carlson, vice president of global clinical affairs and chief medical officer at St. Jude Medical. “Now, we’re partnering with Mended Little Hearts to promote parent and caregiver education. With efforts like these we’re bringing our commitment to this critical area of health care into even sharper focus.”

For more information on the partnership and St. Jude Medical’s commitment to pediatric cardiology, visit sjm.com/weheartkids.

About Mended Little Hearts

Mended Little Hearts is a program of The Mended Hearts Inc., a non-profit, volunteer-based organization providing hope, help and healing to heart patients and their families since 1951. The Mended Little Hearts program works nationally and in communities to support children with congenital heart defects and their families. Learn more at mendedlittlehearts.org.

About St. Jude Medical

St. Jude Medical is a global medical device manufacturer dedicated to transforming the treatment of some of the world’s most expensive epidemic diseases. The company does this by developing cost-effective medical technologies that save and improve lives of patients around the world. Headquartered in St. Paul, Minn., St. Jude Medical has four major clinical focus areas that include cardiac rhythm management, atrial fibrillation, cardiovascular and neuromodulation. For more information, please visit sjm.com or follow us on Twitter @SJM_Media.

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