The doctors and staff at the Children’s Heart Center at Goryeb Children’s Hospital will invite their young patients and their families to a special Valentine’s Day party at Morristown Medical Center on Sunday, February 12, 2012.

The third annual party, which recognizes National Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week, serves as not only an opportunity for current and former patients to get together with doctors, nurses and other staff from the Center who cared for them, but also as a way for families who have shared similar experiences of dealing with pediatric heart problems to meet and bond. Families who have not been treated at the center, who have also shared these experiences, are also invited.

The event will include fun activities, such as a magic show, balloon artist, clowns, Valentine’s Day crafts, therapy animals, face painting and more.

According to the American Heart Association, up to 1.3 million Americans alive today have some form of congenital heart defect. In the United States, about 36,000 children are born with a heart defect each year. About nine of every 1,000 infants born each year have a heart defect.

To RSVP, and to confirm in the event of inclement weather please call (800) 247-9580.

WHEN:             Sunday, February 12, 2012, 1:00 to 4:00pm

WHERE:           Malcolm Forbes Auditorium, Morristown Medical Center, 100 Madison Avenue, Morristown, NJ

 For more information about the Children’s Heart Center, visit http://www.atlantichealth.org/goryeb/our+services/children's+heart+center/

For more information about National Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week, visit the Congenital Heart Information Network at http://www.tchin.org/aware/index.htm