Hole In The Heart

10/09/2025

❤️ Could an undiagnosed heart defect be hiding in plain sight?

Some congenital heart defects aren’t found until adulthood. Think of it like a leaky pipe behind the wall—you don’t see it until there’s real damage. 🚰💔

According to Mayo Clinic, adults with undetected CHD may experience:
❤️ Irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias)
❤️ Shortness of breath or fatigue
❤️ Swelling in the legs or abdomen
❤️ Serious risks like heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, stroke, or even premature death

At Hole In The Heart, we raise awareness so families can recognize the signs and push for timely detection—for children and adults.

Interested in our cause, visit our website: www.HoleInTheHeartASD.org

10/07/2025

🌎 Hispanic Heritage Month Spotlight: Equity in CHD Care ❤️

New Mexico’s vibrant Hispanic community represents nearly 50% of our state’s population, yet disparities in congenital heart disease (CHD) care persist nationwide.

According to the Journal of the American Heart Association (2020):
🔹 Hispanic patients undergoing CHD surgery experience a 3.9% in-hospital mortality rate, compared to 2.8% for non-Hispanic White patients.
🔹 Lower prenatal diagnosis rates and higher rates of being uninsured contribute to delayed detection and treatment.
🔹 Social factors such as maternal education and insurance coverage explain nearly one-third of the outcome disparities seen in infants with CHD.

At Hole In The Heart, we believe every child deserves timely detection, diagnosis, and care—no matter their background, income, or ZIP code.

This Hispanic Heritage Month, we honor our families, providers, and advocates who continue pushing for a healthier, more equitable future in New Mexico. 💪💙

10/03/2025

🎈✨ If we had a hot air balloon, we’d be up in the sky tossing down colorful pamphlets about congenital heart defects (CHD) like confetti—making sure every parent and provider gets the information they need to help little hearts. 💙

While our balloon hasn’t lifted off yet, we’re busy here on the ground building CHD education programs for expecting and newborn parents and their care teams.

We’re extra proud to live in New Mexico—home of the breathtaking Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, happening Saturday, October 4 – Sunday, October 12.

Here’s to big skies, bright balloons, and healthier hearts! 💜

Consider DONATING to help continue these important CHD education programs: www.HoleInTheHeartASD.org

09/30/2025

We are honored to share that our Founder, Sandra Sanchez Fahrlender, and Hole In The Heart have been accepted into the New Mexico Partners in Policymaking Program through the UNM Center for Development and Disability.

This intensive training covers inclusive education, independent & supported living, community organizing, and state & federal legislation.

As advocates for those living with congenital heart disease (CHD), we are committed to advancing timely detection and stronger support for families. We are proud to be selected and ready to learn, lead, and serve. ❤️

09/23/2025

09/23/2025

💪❤️ Congenital Heart Defect warriors are tougher than Wi-Fi signals.

At Hole In The Heart, we advocate for timely detection so more children are diagnosed early and given the care they need from the very start. We also stand beside families on the lifelong journey of CHD survivorship, because thriving with CHD takes more than treatment—it takes awareness, access, and support. 🌟

Together, we’re building a stronger future for every heart.

Want to learn more about Hole In The Heart, visit our website at: www.HoleInTheHeartASD.org

09/18/2025

💡 September is Newborn Screening Awareness Month! 💡

This month, we’re proud to share that our Founder, Sandra Sanchez Fahrlender, joined the 2025 Newborn Screening Bootcamp co-hosted by theEveryLife Foundation for Rare Diseasess and Expecting Health. Continuing to learn about CHD strengthens our organization for NM families.

👉 Expecting Parents, Newborn Parents and Families, here’s an important reminder:
✔️ Ask your care team if your baby passed the Critical Congenital Heart Disease (CCHD) Screening.
✔️ Share your family history of Congenital Heart Defects (CHD) or any heart-related issues with your baby’s provider.

Why? Because CHD runs in families—and sharing this vital information could make all the difference in timely detection and care. 💖

Remember, when it comes to your baby’s heart, sharing is caring. ❤️👶

🔗 For more information about the CCHD Newborn Screening, please visit: babysfirsttest.org/newborn-screening/conditions/critical-congenital-heart-disease-cchd

09/16/2025

💙 Hole In The Heart is proud to partner with Lovelace Health System to make sure Congenital Heart Defect (CHD) awareness reaches families from day one.

Together, we’re including CHD parent resource cards in birthing packets and NICU (Neonatal Intensive Critical Unit) parent packets. These cards are designed to help parents:
✔️ Advocate for their newborn’s heart health
✔️ Recognize signs of a possible undiagnosed congenital heart defect (CHD)
✔️ Feel empowered once baby arrives home

Every baby deserves a strong start—and every parent deserves the tools to protect it. 🫀✨

If you’re a medical institution or healthcare provider interested in spreading CHD awareness to new parents, feel free to contact us at HoleInTheHeartASD@yahoo.com.

09/16/2025

💙 Hole In The Heart is proud to partner with Lovelace Health System to make sure Congenital Heart Defect (CHD) awareness reaches families from day one.

Together, we’re including CHD parent resource cards in birthing packets and NICU (Neonatal Intensive Critical Unit) parent packets. These cards are designed to help parents:
✔️ Advocate for their newborn’s heart health
✔️ Recognize signs of a possible undiagnosed congenital heart defect (CHD)
✔️ Feel empowered once baby arrives home

Every baby deserves a strong start—and every parent deserves the tools to protect it. 🫀✨

If you're a medical institution or healthcare provider interested in spreading CHD awareness to new parents, feel free to contact us at HoleInTheHeartASD@yahoo.com.

09/09/2025

❤️ At Hole In The Heart, CHD (Congenital Heart Defects) isn’t just something we advocate for—it’s something we live. Our board is made up of CHD warriors, parents, and advocates who know firsthand the challenges and triumphs of navigating congenital heart defects. That lived experience makes every decision personal, and every program meaningful.

🩺 Alongside them, our Healthcare Advisory Board brings deep expertise, combining medical knowledge with personal understanding to guide our mission. Together, we create programs that truly matter for CHD families in New Mexico and beyond.

✨ When CHD is personal, advocacy becomes powerful.

www.HoleInTheHeartASD.org

08/28/2025

🌟 Welcome Our Newest Board Member 🌟

We’re excited to welcome Caitlin Kopp, MSN, RN, CPN to the Hole In The Heart Board!

Caitlin is a pediatric nurse and educator with experience at both The University of New Mexico School of Medicine and Presbyterian Healthcare Services. She earned her Master’s in Nursing Education from UNM College of Nursing and is a Certified Pediatric Nurse, passionate about shaping the next generation of providers.

Caitlin is also a CHD Family Advocate, inspired by her niece’s diagnosis with a congenital heart defect. She will be helping us create a CHD curriculum for medical providers, bringing both professional expertise and personal heart to this work.

We’re so grateful to have Caitlin on our team—please join us in welcoming her to the Hole In The Heart family! ❤️

Learn more about Caitlin and our growing healthcare advisory board: www.HoleInTheHeartASD.org/our-board/

08/14/2025

Sometimes, you join the Congenital Heart Disease community by accident—through a health scare, a sudden illness, or a diagnosis you never saw coming.

Being diagnosed later in life is daunting. The “why” is complicated, the emotions are heavy, and the journey can feel lonely.

Hole In The Heart stands with you. We advocate for the undiagnosed, support every diagnosis, and remind you—

A healthy heart matters. A healthy mind matters. A healthy life matters.

💔➡❤️ No matter when you join the CHD community, you belong here.

🌐 www.HoleInTheHeartASD.org - JOIN US in advocating for those yet to be diagnosed.