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Proclamation recognizing Jameson's Army for their dedication to raising awareness and funding for children and families affected by congenital heart defects and naming Friday, April 24, 2015 as "Jameson's Army Day" in Allegheny County.
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WHEREAS, a congenital heart defect (CHD) occurs when the heart or blood vessels near the heart don't develop normally before birth; CHD occurs in approximately one in every 100 births with 40,000 cases in the United States each year; and
WHEREAS, heart defects are among the most common birth defects and are the leading cause of birth defect-related deaths; and
WHEREAS, founded in 2012, Jameson's Army is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness and funding for children and families affected by a congenital heart defect (CHD) in Allegheny County and the region; and
WHEREAS, Jameson's Army was formed by Danielle and Patrik McKain in honor of their son, Jameson McKain, who was born with a heart condition known as Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS); Jameson underwent 6 open heart surgeries and received a heart transplant at just 11 months old; Today, Jameson is 3 years old and thriving; and
WHEREAS, Jameson's Army strives to help the families at The Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, The Children's Home and Lemieux Foundation, Your Child's Place and many other medical facilities and families touched by CHD;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that Allegheny County Council does hereby commend Jameson's Army for raising awareness of CHD and helping children and families affected by CHD. FURTHERMORE, this Council declares Friday, April 24, 2015 as "Jameson's Army Day" in Allegheny County.