Little Zippers

    Little zippers is dedicated to bringing health, hope and happiness to children and families impacted by a Congenital Heart Defect, as well as helping to spread awareness so that more children have a chance to live.

     Most people are unaware that Congenital Heart Defects (CHDs) are the most common birth defect in America, affecting approximately one in one hundred, or 40,000 newborns each year. CHDs are responsible for one third of all birth defect-related deaths and sadly 20 percent of children who make it through birth will not survive past their first birthday. Although a child is born every 15 minutes with a CHD, research continues to be grossly under-funded in America. Of every dollar the government spends on medical funding, only a fraction of a penny is directed toward congenital heart defect research.  

    Jozlynn was born with rare congenital heart defects, Hypoplastic Right Heart Syndrome (HRHS, half a heart), Pulmonary Atresia with Intact Ventricular Septum (PAIVS,Pulmonary Valve completely closed), Tricuspid Stenosis (Tricuspid Valve not working properly), Pulmonary Artery Stenosis (exremely narrowed Pulmonary Arteries), PFO (Patent Forman Ovale), ASD (Atrial Septal Defect) and Congestive Heart Failure.  PAIVS and HRHS occurs in 1 out of 10,000 live births. This situation cannot support life, since oxygen-poor (blue) blood cannot meet the body's demands. These defects are among the most complex and rare congenital defects known. To date she has had four heart surgeries. When I found out during my pregnancy I felt alone and scared. My hope is that every man, woman, and child has resources available to them to be able to cope with all that they have to go through.

    As a parent of a CHD child, I have a responsibility and desire to help raise awareness and fund the research needed to save more precious lives.

    For many congenital heart defects there is no "Cure", only palliative treatment. It is something a child will live with for the rest of their lives.

YOU can help us in our efforts to raise awareness.

By sharing our experiences and providing information, we hope to raise public awareness about conditions that affect approximately 40,000 babies each year in the United States alone.

It is our sincere hope that efforts to educate the public will result in additional funding for support and educational services, scientific research, and improved quality of care for our children.

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