Newborn babies at Greater El Monte Community Hospital celebrate Heart Month with special handmade red hats

Hats knitted and crocheted by volunteers as part of the American Heart Association’s Little Hats, Big Hearts program

Babies born at Greater El Monte Community Hospital in February are receiving red hats knitted and crocheted by volunteers for the American Heart Association (AHA) in celebration of American Heart Month. Greater El Monte Community Hospital is one of 30 hospitals participating in the AHA’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.

“Little Hats, Big Hearts is a wonderful program and Greater El Monte Community Hospital is proud to participate for the first time. In collaboration with the American Heart Association, we want our community to be aware of heart disease and understand that little ones can be born with heart defects. Awareness and understanding helps save lives!” – Dr. Stanley Toy, CEO

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

“Our goal with Little Hats, Big Hearts is not only to raise awareness, but also to encourage moms to live heart-healthy and help their children grow healthy and strong,” said Shawn Casey, Affiliate Development Officer for the American Heart Association. “We send our message of thanks to the volunteers who hand-made every hat with love, as well as the participating hospitals.”

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.

About Greater El Monte Community Hospital

Serving the community for more than 40 years, Greater El Monte Community Hospital is a 117-bed acute facility located in the heart of the San Gabriel Valley. Greater El Monte is a multi-lingual, multi-cultural facility providing comprehensive healthcare services, including emergency care, critical care, diagnostic services, surgery, and labor and delivery. It is fully accredited facility by the Joint Commission.

About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a leading force for a world of longer, healthier lives. With nearly a century of lifesaving work, the Dallas-based association is dedicated to ensuring equitable health for all. We are a trustworthy source empowering people to improve their heart health, brain health and well-being. We collaborate with numerous organizations and millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, advocate for stronger public health policies, and share lifesaving resources and information. Connect with us on heart.org/losangeles, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter or (213) 291-7080.