'Heart Moms' spread cheer to children hospitalized with congenital heart defects in SF

SAN FRANCISCO -- A group of women known as "heart moms" are making this holiday a happy one for kids hospitalized with CHD, which stands for congenital heart defect.

ABC7 News was at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital where the "heart moms" were sorting out their gifts.

They give a care package to every family spending Christmas in the hospital. Each of the volunteers has a baby or loved one who has received special care from heart doctors.

"My son was born with a congenital heart defect called Tetralogy of Fallot," said "heart mom" Shannon. "That meant when he was 30 days old he had to receive open heart surgery at UCSF. You know, we've been really thankful to give back to UCSF and also to receive so much from the wonderful care here."

CHD affects about one in every hundred newborns.

The heart moms want to create an awareness of how much CHD affects families and the need for funding and research.

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