April 19, 2015 has been declared Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) Day in the City of Hartsville by proclamation of Mayor Mel Pennington. On April 16, Pennington presented the City of Hartsville proclamation to CDH awareness advocates Kristin and Andy Dampier, who lost their daughter Kaegan Dampier, born with CDH, in November 2014.
The day is meant to call attention to this life-threatening birth defect which limits the growth of the lungs and occurs in one of every 2,500 live births nationwide, as well as the need for proactive diagnosis and appropriate management of fetuses with the condition to reduce emergency situations and improve survival rates. The proclamation also honors groups such as Breath of Hope, Inc. and CHERUBS which are encouraging research efforts to eventually provide prevention or treatment for children diagnosed with CDH. April 19 has also been named a Day of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Action and Awareness by proclamation of Gov. Nikki Haley.