(Peoria, IL / April 17, 2013) – April has been designated National Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) Awareness Month. CHERUBS is a national CDH organization which promotes CDH awareness and funding for research.

The local CDH Clinic is based in the Pediatric Surgery Center at Children’s Hospital of Illinois. The Peoria area CHERUBS will be holding a celebration and awareness parade on April 20.

WHAT: Peoria Parade of CHERUBS
WHEN: Saturday, April 20, 2013
WHERE: Glen Oak Park Shelter, 2218 N Prospect Rd, Peoria
TIME: 2:00 – 4:00 PM; Parade starts at 2:30

A CDH occurs when the diaphragm fails to fully form, allowing abdominal organs into the chest cavity and preventing lung growth. CDH occurs in one of every 2500 births – half of the babies diagnosed with CDH do not survive. The cause is not known.

The CDH follow up clinic was established at Children’s Hospital in 2003 under the direction of Dr. Rick Pearl, pediatric surgeon.

On-site contact for the parade is Kristin Aigner, CDH Clinic nurse. For more information For more information contact Kristin at 309-371-8566 or Kristin.L.Aigner@osfhealthcare.org.

To learn more about CHERUBS visit www.cdhawarenessday.org