Volunteers for the American Heart Association are celebrating American Heart Month by knitting and crocheting red hats for all newborns at Halifax Regional in February.

February is American Heart Month.

Halifax Regional is participating in the association’s Little Hats, Big Hearts program, which raises awareness of heart disease, the number one killer of Americans, and congenital heart defects — the most common type of birth defect in the country.

“Our newborns and their families are very special to us here at Halifax Regional and we strive each day to provide exceptional care in our Birthing Center,” said Amy Joseph, birthing center nurse manager. “In conjunction with this commitment, each of our newborns are screened for congenital heart disease before they are cleared to go home.”  

American Heart Month is an annual celebration in February that began in 1963 to encourage Americans to join the battle against heart disease.

A presidential proclamation pays tribute each year to researchers, physicians, public health professionals and volunteers for their tireless efforts in preventing, treating and researching heart disease.

The Little Hats, Big Hearts program provides hats to newborn babies in 880 hospitals across 40 states. For more information on the program, visit the American Heart Association’s website at www.heart.org/LittleHatsBigHearts.