It has been a phenomenal year here at CDH International (formerly CHERUBS)! From almost closing our doors in April to becoming a Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Research powerhouse, what an incredible journey it has been. We are breaking records, knocking down doors and making an enormous difference in the fight against CDH on a global level. Below are just a few of our accomplishments:
* CHERUBS was restructured into CDH International
* CDH Standard of Medical Care outline created
* Multi-displinary Medical Advisory Boards for CDHi Created
* CDH Institute Accreditation outline created with accrediations starting in 2018
* New President of CHERUBS (a division of CDHi), Tracy Meats
* New CDH Awareness division created
* New web site
* New branding, materials, social media, etc
* Reached over 6300 families and medical care providers in our membership
* Helped families and researchers in 70 countries
* Raised over $40,000 in one day during the first annual CDH Telethon
* Sent out over 120 CDH HOPE Totebags
* 2017 CDH Conference in Salt Lake City
* Joined other ACDHO charities to attend the CDHSG Conference in Liverpool
* Gave a speech at the CDH Study Group Conference in front of the world’s experts on CDH
* Referred over 100 patient families to DHREAMS / Mass General / University of Utah for genetic testing
* Met with leader of the NICHD at the National Institutes of Health to discuss funding for CDH
* Involved in the Friends of NICHD charity alliance to further funding for child diseases and defects
* Representing structural birth defects associations in new national health database at NIH
* Working with NICHD, CHOP, DHREAMS, Mass General on modeling the new NIH Kid’s First Database after our CDH Research Database
* Unanimous passing of resolution proclaiming April, 2017 Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Awareness Month in the U.S. Senate
* Introduction of of resolution proclaiming April, 2017 Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Awareness Month into the U.S. House of Representatives
* Bought on 2 new members of the Executive Board of Directors
* Added 2 new members to the Medical Advisory Board
* Lobbied on Capitol Hill for Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Awareness
* Represented CDH at the 2017 American Academy of Pediatrics Conference
* Represented CDH at the 2017 American Pediatric Surgical Association Conference
* Represented CDH at the 2017 American Pediatric Surgical Nurses Association Conference
* Represented CDH at the 2017 Global Rare Disease Conference
* Represented CDH at the 2017 Canadian Organization of Rare Disorders Conference
* Represented CDH at the 2017 British Pediatric Surgical Association Conference
* Represented CDH at the 2017 ELSO Conference
* Represented CDH at the 2017 Annual World Orphan Drug Congress
* Represented CDH as a Rare Disease Advocate Charity on Capitol Hill
* Represented CDH at the 2017 Rare Diseases and Orphan Products Breakthrough Summit
* Represented CDH at the 2017 RARE Patient Advocacy Summit
* Represented CDH at the 2017 Scientific Symposium at the 2nd Congress of jENS
* Participated in the National Institutes of Health, NICHD Kids First Database Planning Conference
* Mentored 4 new charities, including a new CDH charity
* Participated in the 2017 Pharma Pricing Conference
* Participated in the 2017 Rare Orphan Drug Conference as a Patient Advocacy Organization
* Participated in the 2017 Pharma Pricing & Market Access Conference
* Building relationships with vaccine and pulmonary drug creators
* Joined ELSO, international ECMO Organization
* Joined National Organization of Rare Disorders
* Joined International Organization of Rare Disorders
* Joined Canadian Organization of Rare Disorders
* Joined Indian Organization of Rare Disorders
* Joined Austrian Organization of Rare Disorders
* Started research projects with 3 CDH Research Centers
* Attending the University of Texas CDH Day in Houston
* Gave 2 television interviews, including helping with episode of “Crime Watch Daily”
* Raised CDH Awareness in “Save the Cherubs” photos in 36 states and 11 countries
* 2017 Combined Federal Campaign charity
* Business Networking International charity
* National Association of Professional Women member
* Joined Pacific Association of Pediatric Surgeons Conference Planning Committee
* Gave over 25 speeches locally on CDH
* New CDHi Office Manager
* 1 new office intern
* Niagara Falls lit up for April 19th
* Sails of Light in Vancouver lit up for April 19th
* Science World in Vancouver lit up for April 19th
* Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans lit up for April 19th
* Legislature Building in Victoria, BC lit up for April 19th
* CN Tower in Toronto lit up for April 19th
* Telus Spark in Calgary, AB lit up for April 19th
* The High Level Bridge in Edmonton, AB lit up for April 19th
* Brant Street Pier in Burlington, ON lit up for April 19th
* WoodmenLife Tower in Omaha lit up for April 19th
* Peace Bridge in Buffalo, NY lit up for April 19th
* BC Place lit up for April 19th
* Calgary Tower lit up for April 19th
* Reached over 35,000 Facebook Fans
* Reached 77,000 posts on the CDH Forums
* Participated in National Children’s Memorial Day
* Participated in #GivingTuesday
* Over 30 new videos
* Won 2017 Top-Rated NonProfit Award from GreatNonprofits.com
* Won 2017 GuideStar Gold charity award
* CHERUBS Vendor Event
* April 19th – Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Awareness Day
* Niagara Falls lit up for April 19th<
* Salt Lake Bees Baseball CDH Awareness Night
* Dress Down Fundraisers
* Virtual Candles & Snowflakes Fundraiser
* Virtual CDH Ribbons Fundraiser
* Lizzy’s 10k Annual Walk for CHERUBS in Ontario, Canada
* Canada CDH Action Day Gathering
* Creative Canvas Fundraiser
* Pampered Chef Fundraiser
* Tastefully Simple Fundraiser
* Usborne Book Fundraiser
* Eli’s Run in Wilmington, North Carolina
* CHERUBS Annual Ohio Picnic
* Melaeuca Fundraiser
* Brady Thomas Golf Tournament
* Justyce for Kids Fundraiser
* Paint Nite Fundraiser
* the Second Chance 80’s Dance
* 2nd Annual Sing for CHERUBS
* Car Decals Fundraiser
* Carshow Carnival
* Girlfriends & Gifts Holiday Charity Benefit
* CDH Research Survery Participation Drive
* Halloween Candle Sale
* CDH Bracelet Benefit
* Shine On! Benefit
* Northeast Mustang Meat
* Younique Fundraiser
* Games for James
* Make a Memory Travel Fundraiser
* Honey and Lace CHERUBS Fundraiser
* Magical Elements Fundraiser
* Cinco de Mayo Fundraiser
* CDH 5k on the Boardwalk
* DSNA CHERUBS 5K and Strike Out CDH Fundraiser
* CDH FUNdraiser
* Fundraising Friday!
* Brewen’s Bombs Fundraisaer
* Jamberry Fundraiser for CHERUBS
* Perfectly Posh Fundraiser
* Texas CDH Awareness Picnic
* Missouri CHERUBS Picnic
* Buffalo Wild Wings Event
* Harvest Pearls Fundraiser
* Kalli LulaRoe Fundraiser
* Virtual 5k
* Utah Chick-Fil-A Fundraiser
* Shopping With Cherub Charlotte Fundraiser
* Dancing with Reese Fundraiser
* Usborne Books Event
* Cherub Lindsey’s CDH Fundraiser!
Join us in 2018 as CDH International continues to tackle Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia heads on by working with researchers around the world to set hospital accreditation standards and a global standard of care that will make better treatment accessible for the children. We have made leaps and bounds of progress in this goal in just the 7 months since the charity transformed from CHERUBS into CDH International, making a name for ourselves in research on a worldwide platform, helping the National Institutes of Health, working with many hospitals and organizations, building a stronger community through the Alliance of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Organizations and continuing to support patients and families as we have done for almost 24 years. As we look forward into 2018, we will speaking and presenting our own research at many global medical conferences, beginning accreditation applications in June, awarding accreditation to hospitals in October, continuing our work with NIH, the CDHSG and genetic studies, and working with many other organizations, hospitals, researchers and companies to advance Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia research so that we can stop this horrible monster. We have no doubt that 2018 will take us much, much further to that goal.
It is an honor to work with all of you, to serve all the families who need us, to help save these children. We look forward to all the incredible progress that 2018 will bring and thank you for allowing us to a part of your families and your journeys in fighting CDH.
Happy New Year from everyone at CDHi and CHERUBS!
