Written By Paula Brown

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Shelburne Town Council began their Valentines Day (Feb. 14) meeting with a focus on the heart. 

Shelburne Mayor Wade Mills, on behalf of Town Council proclaimed Feb. 14 to be Congenital Heart Defect (CHD) Awareness Day in the community during their meeting this past Monday.

In Ontario, one in 70 newborns are born with a type of congenital heart defect making it the number one cause of death from a birth defect. There are 35 known types of congenital heart defects, and many newborns will undergo unimaginable interventions in the first few hours of their life, due to CHD. 

In attendance online for the proclamation was Shelburne residents Penny Clarkson and Tyson Kottelenberg, both who have a type of congenital heart defect. 

Mayor Mills made note to the fact that council was able to proclaim the awareness day on Valentines Day, before thanking the two local youth for being in attendance each year. 

“It's kind of special this year,” he said. “Thank you both for being such strong advocates for CHD and making sure that the community always remembers it on Feb. 14 each year. We look forward to seeing you back here next year.”