Posts Tagged ‘congenital heart defect awareness week’

November 30th, 2010

Happy Birthday Cora!

Today is Cora’s first birthday. Something bitter sweet for a lot of us who have watched the journey Cora has made around the world, and through the hearts of others on the internet during this time. Her mother, Kristine is something I became close with over the past year, and finally met when I was in New York City for BlogHer. Kristine is such a sweet woman, truly a one in a million and today she is going to be in the hearts of so many people all over the world as she remembers the day she brought her little girl into the world.

What some of you may not know is Cora only lived 5 days. She suffered from an undetected congenital heart defect, something that 1 out of 100 children are born with annually. Something so popular yet we hear so little about it.

To learn more about Cora, her brave mother Kristine, and Congenital Heart Defects please visit Cora’s Story.

February 13th, 2010

Keeping Cora in our Thoughts

Today is the last day of Congenital Heart Defect Awareness week and to help celebrate, and remember that we need to spread awareness of CHD and Coras story all year long I will be wrapping the week up with a follow up interview with Kristine Brite, Cora’s Mother, and a huge advocate in the CHD awareness movement. Without her I would have gone on living my life like most people, not knowing anything about CHD.

Danielle :  How did you like being on the Momotics Radio Show to kick off CHD Awareness Week?

Kristine : “The Momotics Radio interview gave me so much confidence to start the week! I had never told Cora’s Story on air. I was admittedly nervous all week. Radio interviews are way out of comfort zone. But, you made made me feel so comfortable. Thank you!
Although Cora’s Story is sad, and we both shed quite a few tears, I think your show also showed her story is one of hope. Cora is making a huge difference. She is saving lives.

I also immensely enjoyed the discussion your show spurred both on the air and after. Members of the CHD community started talking about holding weekly chat sessions. Mothers I had only chatted with online called in and we got to talk about the indescribable impact CHD has had on our lives. For that, I’m forever thankful to you.

The show started discussion that lasted the entire week. Life saving discussion.”

Danielle : Where else have you written a guest blog this week?  (Links)

Kristine : “My fellow bloggers have been so gracious. Not only did I write several guest posts, several bloggers wrote posts about Cora and CHD as a surprise to me. I started the week on the Blogess Army where I wrote about finding out about CHD from the coroner.
Next, I moved to a blog of a mom who also has a child with CHD, Garibay Soup, where I used Cora’s perfect looking picture to illustrate that any child can have CHD.
My post on Baby Dickey, meant a lot because Emily’s son, Ryan, was born a few weeks after Cora and was the first baby Cora helped. I got a little poetic on The Angel Forever. And, on The Spohrs Are Multiplying, I welcomed Cora to the world.
Yesterday, I wrote about what every mother needs to know about CHD on Atlanta Mothers Guide .
Today, I’m also on The Bluemoon Girl talking about Cora’s other gift. And, I’m not done! I have a final CHD Awareness Week guest blog planned for tomorrow. But, I’ll keep that a secret.”

Danielle : What do you want people to know about CHD Awareness Week?

Kristine : “We saved lives this week. I personally read the story of a baby diagnosed because of all the awareness efforts. A mother recognized some of the symptoms in her child.

I’m still absolutely floored I didn’t know about CHD before Cora. When I read that CHD kills more children than all forms of childhood cancer combined, is the most common birth defect, and gets little in the way of funding for more research shortly after Cora’s death, my jaw dropped. Every mother needs to know about CHD for their children and their friend’s children. We’ve got to demand more research and attention be shifted to this serious public health issue.”

Danielle : What would you like to say to women and families touched by CHD?

Kristine : “I work for you, too. I will never stop. I’m here for you always. Feel free to write to me at my personal email, kbrite@gmail.com.”

Danielle : What do you want people to know about Cora’s Story?

Kristine : “She saves lives. She improves lives. She changed me forever. She brought such love and joy in my life. I know her story sounds like a horror movie at first read, but it’s full of such hope, joy, and compassion. I work for her always. I dedicate all to her. I try to find ways to improve other peoples lives all in her name. Cora is one amazing baby.”

Danielle : What is your new website and Contact information for anyone who would like to work with you on CHD Awareness?

Kristine : “Cora and I now blog at http://www.corasstory.org. My email again is kbrite@gmail.com.  My full name is Kristine Brite McCormick. I still forget and go by my maiden name all the time, so you might see either name. I’m here for all mothers. Anytime.”

This week has taught me so many things, and I hope through our posts about CHD awareness and the radio show, we are able to reach out and help someone, or save a life.
If you missed the radio show earlier this week, you can click play on the Blog Talk Radio icon below to listen. Please disregard the conversation Kristine and I had AFTER the show was over, we were unaware that the show would continue to record even after the time frame was over. LOL!   But it does make for some pretty funny moments.