Bringing Together the Congenital Heart Disease Community

When I think about the most satisfying event that I have ever attended in my life, the first memory that stirs isn’t a memory of a wedding or a birthday party. It isn’t a memory of a concert or school reunion. When I think of the most fulfilling event in my life, the first memory that always comes to mind is the last Adult Congenital Heart Association (ACHA) National Conference in Chicago.

The reason is simple. This event is the one place where hundreds of people whose lives are touched by congenital heart disease (CHD) can come together, share stories, build friendships, and learn from each other. I don’t care how different we are – we may have different backgrounds, come from various parts of the country, or have different political views. But if you have a CHD, are close with someone who had a CHD, lost someone with a CHD, or provide medical services to people with CHDs, you and I will always have a special bond.

We have another National Conference coming up in just a few months. Those of you who have attended in the past don’t need to be convinced – you know how great it is. And those of you who have never attended before, I just have one piece of advice: don’t miss this opportunity.

There are three main reasons why I think this conference will be such an amazing opportunity: building community, educating ourselves and those around us, and making a difference.

First, on community. There are a lot of us CHDers in this country. Our community is even larger when you count family members and medical providers. Yet all too many of us go through most of life never meeting someone else with a heart defect (outside of our cardiologist’s waiting room). Here, we will have hundreds of people in one place, reuniting old friends, building new friendships, and having fun together. We are a community, and anyone who has been to a conference knows this. And if you haven’t attended yet, then please come join our community.

Second, the ACHA National Conference is an opportunity to educate ourselves and others. Patients have the chance to attend sessions to learn more about their bodies, their minds, and the medical technology on the horizon. Doctors have a rare opportunity to meet with and learn from all of the patients outside of the setting of a hospital. Medical professionals come together to explore cutting edge research and share best practices.  Everyone leaves the conference more enriched than when they arrived.

Finally, the ACHA National Conference is an opportunity to make a difference. All too many of our fellow CHDers around the country lack the proper care or aren’t seeing the right doctor. Our elected leaders in Washington have devoted some funds to better understand issues unique to the adult CHD community, but we need an awful lot more support. This conference is an opportunity for us to focus our efforts in raising public awareness and advocating for more support from our elected leaders.

That’s my pitch. For those of you who have attended past ACHA National Conferences, you know how great it is. And for those of you who haven’t attended, sign up now.  I promise you, it will be great. See you in Orlando!