WomenHeart

WomenHeart of Winston-Salem is affiliated with the national organization for the 44 million women in the United States who have heart disease or are at risk for heart disease.

WomenHeart volunteers and professionals from the medical community provide education about risk factors, symptoms, and preventive measures. The group setting offers opportunities for women to gather information, tell their stories, educate others, and learn about local resources.

The meetings for 2009 will be held at 6 pm in the BestHealth location at Hanes Mall:

• October 20
• November 17
• December 15

To register for the meeting, please call 336-716-2255.

To learn more about the Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center Women’s Heart Health Program, please call Susan Butler, RN, MSN, at 336-713-4427.

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Mended Little Hearts Support Group  

Brenner Children’s Hospital established North Carolina’s first Mended Little Hearts support group for families and caregivers of pediatric heart patients. Mended Little Hearts is part of a national non-profit organization affiliated with the American Heart Association. Created 50 years ago, Mended Hearts was established to promote a positive patient-care experience for adults treated for heart disease. Mended Little Hearts was created for families of pediatric heart patients.

Mended Little Hearts offers:

• Support to family members and/or caregivers of children affected with congenital heart defects and heart disease
• Educational and health resources relating to congenital heart disease and heart disease and well-being
• Public information to raise awareness in the community about children with congenital heart defects and heart disease

Kari L. Crawford, RN, PNP, program coordinator, said there is a unique bond for families of children with a heart defect.

“No matter what the defect is or the struggles they endure, they all have one thing in common—a sick child,” she said. “They fear the unknown and want to protect their children. The support group offers hope and a hug.”

Mended Little Hearts meets quarterly at night at various locations in the western region of the state. For more information and directions to the meeting place, contact Crawford at 336-713-2228.