RALEIGH, N.C., April 15, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Since the first small event on April 19th, a parade in Raleigh, North Carolina in 2011, the organization's efforts have grown exponentially with other charity members of the Alliance of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Organizations (ACDHO). On April 7, 2014, once again the Senate unanimously approved a Resolution for CDH Awareness with the passing of S. Res. 144.

CDH is a birth defect of the diaphragm. It occurs when the diaphragm fails to form or to close totally and an opening allows abdominal organs into the chest cavity, inhibiting lung growth. CDH affects approximately one in every 2,500 babies, or about 1,600 babies in the United States each year. Globally, every 10 minutes a baby is born with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia. Roughly 50 percent of babies born with CDH do not survive. The cause is still unknown.

"CDH awareness and research is very important and especially to me because my grandson, Jim Beau, was born with CDH in 2009," said Senator Sessions. "This is a life threatening birth defect that not many people have heard about. Only 50 percent of the babies survive and that number could and should be higher. Research and awareness are key," said Sen. Session.

Events have been organized through CHERUBS, the world's largest CDH nonprofit organization, in Raleigh, Dallas, Portland, Fresno, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Philadelphia, Salt Lake City, Columbus, St. Louis, Gainesville, and Manchester, England. The Superdome in New Orleans, CN Tower in Toronto, Dublin City Hall, Miami Tower, PECO Building in Philadelphia, Wells Fargo Building in Charlotte and many other buildings are lighting pink, baby blue and yellow for CDH Awareness on April 19th. So far 40 states and 52 towns have proclaimed April 19th as a Day of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Awareness. Various other events and fundraisers are being held by families around the world.

SOURCE CHERUBS