The neon lights bordering the “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign were illuminated in red on Wednesday, Feb. 27 in front of a sea of onlookers, also dressed in red. The event was held in honor of National Heart Month, which is dedicated to promoting cardiac health in America. Surrounded by families of young cardiac patients and their supporters, the Clark County Board of Commissioners issued a proclamation declaring Feb. 28 as Children’s Heart Foundation Day, celebrating the organization’s mission to make a difference in the lives of “heart families” through emotional, educational, and financial support to inspire a higher quality of life for all.
Among the supporters in attendance were Nevada State Bank (NSB) team members, who throughout the month of February raised funds and awareness for the Children’s Heart Foundation (CHF) through the sale of Valentine’s Day candy grams, “Jeans Friday” donations and other National Heart Month initiatives. The total amount raised, $2,556, was presented to the CHF at the event, helping to underscore the community’s support for “heart warriors” and their families.
“As a proud Nevada State Bank employee and Children's Heart Foundation board member, witnessing the iconic Las Vegas Sign illuminated in red was an unforgettable experience,” said NSB Vice President/Professional Banking Relationship Manager Lela Palsgrove. “Standing alongside my fellow board members, colleagues, and the Clark County Commissioners, the event symbolized a united front in raising crucial awareness for CHF's vital mission.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, congenital heart defects are the most common type of birth defect in the United States, affecting nearly 1% of―or about 40,000―births per year. Twice as many children die from congenital heart defects each year in the United States than from all forms of childhood cancer combined, says the American Heart Association, yet research into them remains substantially underfunded.
CHF was founded by a group of passionate parents and Nevada pediatric cardiologists, who gained firsthand knowledge of the emotional and financial toll that can be exacted by a child’s heart condition. CHF, with the assistance of the Children’s Heart Center Nevada’s medical social work team, helps to provide families with much-needed resources to help with the costs of everything from hospital stays and treatments to prescriptions and travel.
NSB’s candy gram donation drive, now in its third year, is one of the many ways the bank supports the CHF. On April 20, 2024, NSB volunteers will participate in the CHF’s 21st annual “Walk with the Heart of a Child” event in support of the young lives affected by heart conditions.
During the holiday season, NSB team members also volunteer to unload, sort, and pack toys and gifts donated as part of the organization's Adopt-A-Heart Family program, which provides holiday assistance for families struggling financially due to a child's heart condition.
Back at the “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign, as cars passed by, many on their way to the Strip, tourists were able to catch a glimpse of the strong sense of community and spirit of giving that make Las Vegas a special place not only to visit, but also to live.