Happy Hearts Picnic to Be Held

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Aug. 30, 2010) – The eighth annual Happy Hearts Picnic will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 18, at Shillito Park, 300 W. Reynolds Road, behind Fayette Mall in Lexington. The picnic is for children with congenital heart problems and their families.

Dr. Carol Cottrill, pediatric cardiologist at Kentucky Children’s Hospital, arranges the annual picnic. "We are delighted to be doing this for eighth year for children who have heart disease. It's a great opportunity for children to meet physicians in a relaxed atmosphere and interact with them on a personal level," Cottrill said. "We have been taking care of children with heart problems for many years and even through adulthood. I so enjoy getting everyone together for this annual event."

The afternoon of fun includes games, inflatables, crafts such as face painting and pumpkin painting, food and drinks, pony rides and a petting zoo. In addition, attendees can meet the experts -- pediatric cardiologists, pediatric heart surgeons and other health professionals -- and have a picture taken with Stitches, the Kentucky Children's Hospital mascot.

For more information about the picnic, contact Holly Powers at (859) 422-4278 or holly.powers@uky.edu.