Our Impact on CHD

CHD Advocacy, Awareness & Education


Hole in the Heart was honored to attend the Every 100th Heart National CHD Advocacy Summit in Washington, DC, representing New Mexico’s CHD community. Meeting with healthcare aides from Senator Martin Heinrich, Senator Ben Ray Luján, Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández, and Rep. Melanie Stansbury they shared personal CHD stories and advocated for continued federal and state support for CHD research, policies, and improved systems of care.
Hole in the Heart presented “Reflections on the Intersection of Practice and Policy in Timely Detection of Congenital Heart Disease” at the New Mexico Symposium on Health. This presentation explored the ongoing disparities in timely detection of congenital heart disease (CHD), despite major technological advances in the 21st century. They discussed how state and federal policies impact CHD diagnosis and intervention, while highlighting proposed reforms to strengthen systems of care for families across New Mexico and beyond.
Hole in the Heart presented Pursuing a Diagnosis for a Chronically Ill Child at the Parents Reaching Out Family Leadership Conference. A session designed for both parents still searching for answers and those already navigating a diagnosis. They covered, the importance of a timely diagnosis, strengthening advocacy & communication skills, and navigating the emotional impact of chronic illness.
Joined Eta Iota chapter (UNM) Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. for an empowering Delta Week event focused on Women’s Heart Health Across the Lifespan. From college years to pregnancy, newborn heart health, and into later adulthood—this important discussion will highlight how heart health evolves at every stage of life, and why awareness matters.

Sandra Sanchez Fahrlender, Founder & President of Hole in the Heart, successfully completed the Partners in Policymaking Program through the UNM Center for Development and Disability. This nationally recognized program builds leaders in advocacy, policy, and community change—fueling the continued growth of our mission.
Watch Their Hearts is a community outreach initiative created to help parents, caregivers, and healthcare providers recognize the warning signs of congenital heart defects (CHD) that may be missed in newborns. Through educational reels and videos in both English and Spanish, families can learn which symptoms to watch for, when to seek medical care, and be encouraged to trust their instincts and discuss any concerns with their baby’s doctor. These resources are made to be accessible, easy to share, and simple to understand for communities in need of CHD education.
Designed for parents and providers, this resource helps support the timely detection of congenital heart defects—when it matters most. Hole in the Heart is proud to keep building tools that support timely detection from newborns to young adults.
At the New Mexico Legislature for Public Health Day, all you had to do was follow the red balloons to learn more about Hole in the Heart and Congenital Heart Defects (CHD). Our red balloons were on display to guide legislators, partners, and the public to our table—creating space for education, awareness, and meaningful conversations.
Hole in the Heart partnered with Explora to present an engaging heart health lesson to high school students. These future healthcare heroes learned how the heart works and explored common cardiac issues, sparking curiosity and important conversations around cardiology and congenital heart defects (CHDs).
Dr. Qureshi, Pediatric Cardiologist from El Paso Children’s Hospital, presented Discovering CHDs at the New Mexico School Nurse Association (NMSNA) Summer Conference in Las Cruces, NM. Highlighting the importance of catching CHDs early, he shared signs that school nurses can watch for in students who might have an overlooked or undiagnosed condition.

Articles & Podcasts

Solving a Medical Mystery: Repairing This Common Birth Defect Transformed a Boy’s Life – GE HealthCare Insights Article

https://www.gehealthcare.com/insights/article/solving-a-medical-mystery-repairing-this-common-birth-defect-transformed-a-boy%E2%80%99s-life

Annual Reports