Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day takes place on February 22, and this year marks the campaign’s 10th anniversary. Ten years of building recognition for a condition that affects as many as 15.3 million Americans. Ten years of elevating patient voices. Ten years of encouraging people to pay attention to symptoms. And 10 years of pushing for earlier, more informed conversations between patients and their doctors.
While thousands of people globally have worked to raise awareness, valve disease remains unknown and underdiagnosed. The campaign has several exciting things planned to mark this anniversary year.
The Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day campaign has launched a newly redesigned website, along with refreshed materials that make it easier to understand heart valve disease, talk about it, and take part in awareness efforts.
The new website brings everything together in one place: stories from patients and advocates are front and center; new campaign resources that are shareable in just a few clicks; information about events or and tips for hosting one; and information about what heart valve disease is and why it matters.
The materials are also included in a revamped Social Press Kit, which includes ready-to-use graphics, prewritten social media posts, and key messages that make sharing awareness fast and effective. When shared using hashtags like #ValveDiseaseDay and #ListenToYourHeart, those messages join the official online conversation and help amplify the day.
This milestone year will also be marked with a flagship reception on February 25 at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center in Washington, D.C. The event will bring together partners, advocates, and policymakers to celebrate this occasion and recognize what has been accomplished over the past decade, while looking ahead to the work still required. If you are in the D.C. area, you can RSVP here – we’d love to see you there!
With a new website and updated materials, Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day is kicking off its second decade with tools designed to support continued awareness and engagement. The campaign remains focused on what matters most: increasing awareness and encouraging earlier detection to improve outcomes and ultimately save lives. We can’t wait to see what the next 10 years bring.
Katrin Werner-Perez is the Director of Health Programs at the Alliance.
