MRHS Participates in Little Hats, Big Hearts Program

This month, Mena Regional Health System is providing small red knit caps to new babies and their families. The caps are thanks to the American Heart Association’s Little Hats, Big Hearts program. Along with a knit cap for the new baby, parents will receive information about the importance of starting healthy habits at a young age. The initiative is in connection with the Children’s Heart Foundation and locally sponsored by Delta Dental of Arkansas.

Congenital heart defects are the most common birth defect of babies born in the United States, impacting eight in every 1,000 babies. Volunteer knitters across the state provided the crochet and knit caps.

“It is an honor for MRHS to participate in the Little Hats, Big Hearts program. Through collaboration with numerous organizations, we hope to raise awareness of heart disease in our local community, starting with the smallest of those among us.” – Sonya Maye, MRHS Marketing, Public Relations Director.

“Heart disease is 80 percent preventable- and the best way to do that is by teaching children heart-healthy habits as early as possible. We are truly grateful for our volunteer knitters, our hospitals who are distributing the hats, and for Delta Dental of Arkansas for supporting this wonderful cause,” says Joyce Taylor, Executive Director of the Central Arkansas American Heart Association.

Little Hats, Big Hearts started in Chicago in 2014. From just 300 little hats in the first year, the program has now embraced hundreds of thousands of babies across more than 40 states. For more information, connect with The American Heart Association on heart.org, Facebook, Twitter or by calling 1-800-AHA- USA1.

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Jeri Pearson

Jeri is the News Director for Pulse Multi-Media and Editor of The Polk County Pulse. She has 10 years of experience in community focused journalism and has won multiple press association awards.

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