HeartKids Board Victoria

Several of the Board members are parents of HeartKids. All Board members are volunteers who contribute their time and experience and are concerned with the high incidence of heart defects in children.

HeartKids Victoria Board

President: Scott Reinke
Vice-President: Clare Fountain
Treasurer: Michael Johnson
Marketing Portfolio: Belinda James
Legal Portfolio: Tim Frampton
General Board Member: Daniel Lynch
General Board Member: Andrew Lewin
Volunteer Portfolio: Di Gillies
Corporate Integration Board Member: Scott McLaughlin

Human Resources Portfolio: Casey George

HeartKids Victorian Patrons:

Professor Jim L Wilkinson MB.ChB.,FRCP,FRACP,FACC,FRCPCH
Senior Cardiologist, The Royal Children’s Hospital
Honorary Cardiologist, Royal Melbourne Hospital
Honorary Cardiologist, Monash Medical Centre
Honorary Cardiologist, Geelong Hospital

Ted Kitto, Kiwanis Australia

Ambassadors

Under construction…

Information

Heart Conditions – Detailed information for parents

HeartKids is pleased to offer this new online resource for people wishing to know more about the various heart conditions. The site includes details on tests, procedures and operations along with details on health and nutrition, exercise, schooling, adult congenital heart issues. Click link to view: Heart Conditions – Detailed information

Children with Heart Conditions – online booklet

A great booklet for parents of a child with a heart condition

Children with Heart Conditions – online booklet.pdf

School Information

The forms below may assist you when your child starts childcare/preschool/school.

Parent__School_Information_Booklet

TeachersandCarers.pdf

First_Aid_Action_Plan.pdf

MedHistoryForm.pdf

Outpatient Appointments at the Royal Children’s Hospital

When your child has an appointment to see a cardiologist at the Royal Children’s Hospital you will receive a letter detailing the tests the cardiologist has requested and confirming your appointment time. If you are unable to attend please call (03) 9345 6400 to reschedule so that your slot can be reallocated. If your child is having multiple tests in addition to seeing the cardiologist you could be at the clinic for as long as 2-3 hours. Please come prepared with all you need for the visit, for example babies bottles, snacks, strollers, special toys etc.

Below is a brief description of tests your child may have and an idea of how long the test will take and what preparations you may need to make.

ECG

An ECG is a recording of the heart rhythm that involves placing ECG electrodes (stickers) on the arms, legs and across the chest. A recording is then made showing the electrical activity of the heart. It requires being as still as possible when the recording is taken. It is useful if parents of babies or small children bring something to help achieve this eg: a bottle or toys. The test should take 3-5 minutes.

ECHOCARDIOGRAM

An echocardiogram is an ultrasound of the heart to look at the structure size and blood flow of the chambers and associated blood vessels. Your child needs to be settled during the study so it is helpful with babies and infants to have a bottle or dummy available for them. Maybe a favourite toy would be useful for small children. For older children DVDs are available or you could bring a particular favourite. The study normally takes about 30-40 minutes, but this may vary.

24 HOUR HOLTER ECG MONITOR

A 24 Hour Holter ECG recording requires wearing a recorder (about the size of a pager) with ECG electrodes (stickers) attached to the chest for 24 hours. In some cases you may be required to wear the recorder for a longer period. You will not need to stay in the hospital and will be free to leave once your appointment is finished and the recorder has been fitted. The technologist who fits the recorder will discuss with you how it should be returned. The recorder must not get wet so a bath or shower is not possible (nor is swimming) until it is removed. An otherwise normal day’s activity is possible. It may be requested that some exercise by undertaken while wearing the recorder to check the heart rhythm during exercise as well. You will also be asked to keep a diary of activities and events while wearing the recorder. It will take approximately 10-15 minutes to fit the recorder and explain the procedure.

EXERCISE TEST

This test assesses how the heart responds to exercise i.e. an increase in heart rate. This is done by recording an ECG while walking and running on a treadmill. Blood pressure is monitored during and after exercise and sometimes oxygen saturation also. Please wear or bring something comfortable to exercise in (including comfortable shoes) eg t-shirt and shorts or track pants and running shoes. A shower is available after the test. The test will take approximately 30-40 minutes.

PACEMAKER

ECG electrodes (stickers) are attached to the chest and a special computer id used to “talk” to the pacemaker. This ensures the pacemaker is working with the heart’s own rhythm to pace the heart in the correct way as programmed by the cardiologist. The pacemaker is checked at regular intervals and may be reprogrammed as felt necessary. The test will take 15-30 minutes.

CHEST X-RAY

If your cardiologist has requested a chest x-ray this will be done in another department and may take 20-30 minutes.

Social Work Matters

Introduction to articles as printed in HeartKids Victoria Newsletter

Hi everyone

As the team leader for the Social Work service to the Cardiology Unit at the Royal
Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, I will be contributing an article to each Heartkids
newsletter.

The role of Social Work is to provide emotional and practical support to patients
and their family and each of these columns will address a different topic about
these matters.

If there is a particular topic you would like me to cover, please feel free to email
me at: email
Cheers, Leanne

Leanne Foster
Social Work Team Leader – Critical Care & Cardiac Team
The Royal Children’s Hospital, Flemington Road,
PARKVILLE VIC 3052 AUSTRALIA
Ph: 03 9345 6111

Social_Work_Matters_11.pdf
Social_Work_Matters_21.pdf
Social_Work_Matters_31.pdf
Social_Work_Matters_41.pdf
Social_Work_Matters_51.pdf

Research Articles

SchoolAndBehaviourProblems.pdf

FontanOperationReview.pdf

PaediatricCardiologyAtMonashHeart.pdf

Privacy Policy PDF

Privacy_Policy.pdf

Fundraising

Fundraising Guidelines

If you are interested in holding a fundraising event for HeartKids Victoria please read the Event Guidelines, complete the Event Registration form below and return to HeartKids Victoria Inc, PO Box 803, Parkville VIC 3052 or fax: (03) 9345 6765. If you have any queries please contact Sharon Elder, Events & Communications Manager, Tel: 0408 554 576 or email
Event_Guidelines.pdf

Everyday Hero

Be a Hero!
Did you know that anytime you take part in a Fun Run, bike ride, or any event, you can raise funds for HeartKids Victoria? It’s so easy – all you need to do is create your own Everyday Hero page online it only takes a few minutes to build and email to all of your contacts. Challenge yourself – set your own fundraising target and watch your progress on your hero meter. Go to the Everyday Hero website for more information http://www.everydayhero.com.au

Ritchies Stores Community Benefit Card

Ritchies Supermarkets have a Community Benefit card available for patrons. When applying for your card in a Ritchies store, you can nominate HeartKids Victoria as your beneficiary. Every time you shop at Ritchies present your card or tag to the cashier. Each time the card is scanned 1% of the money you spend is automatically allocated to HeartKids as a donation from Ritchies.

Donation Tins

To help raise funds we have HeartKids donation tins available to businesses and individuals willing to help. If you would like a tin please email your details to: email or Tel: 9513 9030.
Please note these tins are not to be used for door knocking.

Entertainment Books – Worth their weight in Gold!

Purchase your new 2009/2010 Entertainment Book now… it is the best Book ever

HeartKids Victoria is raising funds by selling the 2009/2010 Entertainment Book. Selling for $65, proceeds from the sale of the Entertainment Books will help fund our support programs.

Entertainment Books contain hundreds of 25-50% off and two-for-one offers from popular restaurants, cinemas, hotel accommodation, the arts, and sporting events. There truly is something for everyone, with high value offers from Avis, Warner Bros. Movie World, Crown Towers, Hamilton Island, Jacques Reymond, Nobu, Verge, Taxi Dining Room, TGI Fridays, Wagamama, Taco Bill, Nando’s, Krispy Kreme, Grill’d, AFL, Melbourne Aquarium, Zoos Victoria, Hoyts Cinemas and many more.

To reserve your copy of the Entertainment Book please download the order form and post to PO Box 803, Parkville VIC 3052 or email your order to Tracy Stanley at HeartKids Victoria email or phone 03 9513 9030 or 0417 569 733. The books will be delivered early April.

Entertainment_Book_Order_Form.pdf

Useful and Interesting Links

Heart Conditions – Detailed information for parents

General Information

Better Health Channel

Heart Support – Australia

Marfan NSW

Velo-Cardio-Facial/Di George Syndrome

Williams Syndrome

Special Links

The Royal Children’s Hospital(RCH)

Contact RCH
Need to contact the Royal Children’s Hospital?

RCH Parent information
Going to the Royal Children’s hospital?
Find out how to get there, what to bring and what will happen when you arrive;

Cardiology Department 1
Looking for information on Heart Defects?

Cardiology Department 2
Do you want information about the Cardiology ward for parents?

Chaplaincy & Pastoral Care
The RCH Pastoral Care is always there, see;

International Links

Noonan Syndrome Support Group [US]

Sad Links

Sadly, sometimes heart children die.

Sometimes families and friend no matter how much they might wish to, can’t be the one you need to turn to. You may not have lost your child but maybe a friend has and you want to help but can’t quite find the place to start. The following are links to sites in both Australia and overseas that have been started to help families, both parents and siblings who have lost a child.

We wish that we did not have to add these links but are very grateful that we are able.

Sids and Kids VIC is an organisation that offers grief/bereavement counselling to families who have experienced the sudden and unexpected death of a child up to six years of age; there are groups also in the Hunter and other states of Australia. This site was suggested by a member who has used it and found them to be helpful.

Sids and Kids
www.sidsandkids.org

Sids and Kids Victoria
1277 Malvern Road
Malvern VIC 3144

Ph: (03) 9822 9611
Fax: (03) 9822 2955
Freecall: 1800 240 400

Compassionate Friends Victoria

The Compassionate Friends Victoria Inc
267 Canterbury Road
Canterbury VIC 3126

Phone: (03) 9888 4944
Fax: (03) 9888 4900
Freecall: 1800 641 091 (Vic & Tas)

The Compassionate Friends was founded in Coventry, England, in 1969, by Rev. Simon Stephens, Assistant to the Chaplain in the Coventry and Warwickshire Hospital. Simon noticed that the intensity and duration of parental grief was much greater than that of others who lost loved ones. He brought together two couples whose children had died at the same time, hoping they might comfort one another. It worked; each parent understood the pain the others were going through, and they were able to support and help one another as no one else could do. In time, the two couples reached out to other grieving parents, and The Compassionate Friends was founded. Compassionate Friends has Australian Offices.

Further telephone contacts are:

Kids Help Line: 1800 55 1800
Lifeline: 131 114

The Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement
www.grief.org.au

Ground Floor
McCulloch House
Monash Medical Centre
246 Clayton Road
Clayton VIC 3168

Tel: (03) 9543 9449 (Monday – Thursday)

Email for counselling

Email for support groups

Grief/Bereavement Websites:

Journey of Hope Grief Support Network: http://www.johgriefsupport.org

Sids and Kids on-line: http://www.sidsandkids.org

Raindrop – Death education for children of all ages: http://iul.com/raindrop/

Stillborn and Neonatal Death Support (SANDS): http://www.sands.org.au/

Skylight: http://www.skylight.org.nz/

M.I.S.S. Foundation in the USA was started by Joanne Cacciatore after the death of her daughter. There are lots of different areas on this site and it is the place of the well known kindness project. The site is a little sad, informative, complex and surprisingly very uplifting.

Research articles

SchoolAndBehaviourProblems.pdf

Heart Angels

This Page is devoted to those children who have passed away as a result of Heart Disease.

Would you like to see your Heart Angel’s story on this page? If so, just write your story up, include some pictures and email it all to the HeartKids email at or contact us on (03) 9513 9030.

Photo courtesy of Tuesday’s Child Photography and the Gleboff-Barker Family

Jaime Ekberg 19/12/05 – 3/10/07

Jaime_Ekberg.pdf

Noah Bannister 29/03/04 – 7/04/04

http://families.hearts-of-hope.org/noah.b/

Owen Paul Crew 15/11/05 – 26/06/07

Owen_Paul_Crew.pdf

Erinn O’Brien

Erinn_OBrien.pdf

Stories intro

Would you like to see your heart kid’s story on this page? If so, just write your story up, include some pictures and email it all to the HeartKids email at or contact us at The Royal Children’s Hospital on (03) 9513 9030.

How to become a Sponsor

As a Charity with both State and National offices we welcome sponsors at both levels. For details on how to become a sponsor at a state level please contact your state office directly. For companies wishing to take on a sponsorship at a national level we offer a number of packages;

Principal Sponsor

This contributes to research or to the core costs of the Charity over a fixed period to advertise your community spirit and commitment to the welfare of our children. There are a range of corporate benefits depending on the level of support offered. Please contact HeartKids Victoria for details on 03 9513 9030.

Employee Sponsor

This unique opportunity allows you to employ a HeartKids employee for 6 months at either a state or a national level. As a new national charity this allows us to channel vital resources where they are most needed during our critical start up phase.

Campaign and Event Sponsorship

Throughout the year HeartKids holds various campaigns including Stick on a Smile, Gala Balls and other fundraising events. These can be sponsored on either a state or national level.

Equipment or Research Sponsor

With HeartKids making up the majority of admissions into Intensive Care Units around the country, there is always a need for new equipment. At HeartKids we can direct your sponsorship dollars directly to the area you would like to contribute. This can range from beds to tvs to cardiac monitoring equipment OR if you prefer we can channel your donations specifically into research.

Create your own event at work or your mother’s group.

There are a number of ways you can raise funds independantly for HeartKids, each state offers their own unique angle on what’s fun to do, or you can simply make up your own.

We want to take this opportunity to thank the following organisations for their support of HeartKids

Corporate Involvement

HeartKids Corporate Membership is State based and is open to all businesses, associations and organisations.

In today’s competitive world, it’s important to get the balance right. Lending your organisation’s support to a worthy cause like HeartKids not only builds your reputation as a ‘good corporate citizen’, it makes your staff and clients feel positive about you, so they’re more likely to want to work for, and with, you.
Aligning your company with HeartKids gives your company the chance to promote your commitment to social responsibility and share the opportunity to express that commitment with your staff.

By taking up the opportunity to make a difference, your staff will not only gain great satisfaction, they’ll have the chance to build better relationships with their colleagues, utilise their skills in a new and positive way, and perhaps demonstrate some new skills that will build their own reputation and regard within the workplace.

If you would further information please contact HeartKids on 03 9513 9030 or email:

Free Registration

HeartKids registration is open to:

Families with a child who has a congenital heart defect or acquired childhood heart disease. This includes parents, siblings, grandparents etc.
Teenagers and Adults with CHD.
To any individual or group concerned with the issues of congenital heart defects.

To any individual involved in the issues of congenital heart defects and acquired childhood heart disease, be they from a medical background or the political arena.

HeartKids offers you:

A seasonal Newsletter to keep you informed and updated
Family Support Coordinators – present in hospital to offer you support at critical times and by phone and email as required
Regular coffee mornings so that you can meet and share experiences with other families, these can be held either in hospital or in your local area, encouraging a local network of support for you and your family
Opportunities for your heart child to attend events with other heart children
Opportunities to attend special afternoon or evening information events by invited medical practitioners and other professionals as they arise

Opportunities to participate in your areas of interest.

Click below to download the Registration Form

Registration_Form_W.pdf

Volunteers

VOLUNTEERING WITH HEARTKIDS

HeartKids Victoria provides support, advocacy, equipment and research for kids with heart disease and their families, but it is volunteers like you who make it possible.

Apart from employing people for specific and specialised roles such as direct Support Services and Event management, Heartkids is almost entirely composed of volunteers. From Board membership, Marketing, Financial management and Strategic planning, to work place activities, Family Fun Days, supporting one of our functions, secretarial work and newsletter distribution, we value and rely on volunteers. HeartKids Victoria offers a wealth of opportunities to become involved as a volunteer..… whether its regular hours in a week, or an day a year or as a ‘one off’, all of it is appreciated.

Together, we can make a real difference. Contact Di Gillies, our volunteer co-ordinator on 0438 002 749 or email and learn more about how you can help. Don’t forget to tell others about us and help spread the awareness that will ensure better outcomes for all HeartKids.

ACTIVITIES YOU COULD CONSIDER

Storytelling times at the outpatients Heart Clinic at the Royal Children’s Hospital.

Hold a jumble sale, shopping mall or market stall . Either with your own sourced items or we can provide.Let us know if you need help, or can help us source more!

Invite a HeartKids speaker to your local community group meeting to help raise awareness.

Become a local collection tin distributor.
Install a collection tin at work.We have plenty of workplace suggestions.

Enter a sponsored activity like a Fun Run and make HeartKids your charity of choice.We can link you to our website to help you get sponsors.

Talk to your employer about adopting HeartKids as charity of choice.

Register HeartKids as a recipient charity with your local Richies supermarket, then a percentage of your shopping bill will be donated by Ritchies to Heartkids.

HKV_Volunteer_Registration_Form.pdf

home page text

Welcome members, visitors and supporters of HeartKids.

The aim of this site is to provide useful information and avenues of support for families of heart children.
Please browse the site for information on:

Our support services
A list of our partners and supporters
Upcoming events and regional news
Our contact details and membership details and,

Your stories – generously shared by the families affected by CHD.

Thank you for getting in contact with us

Enquiry Pack

Disclaimer

Please remember that the opinions expressed in any article herein represent personal experience only. MEDICAL DETAILS ARE SPECIFIC TO EACH INDIVIDUAL CASE AND MAY NOT BE APPLICABLE TO ANOTHER CHILD. Parents who require more specific information should check with their child’s own Cardiologist.

Also, please note, that the opinions expressed in the articles herein, are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of the committee of Heartkids Nsw Inc.

Further Disclaimer:

Graphics found on this site were not created by the webmaster. They were obtained from various sources on the internet that labeled them as “freely distributable”. If you should discover images in this collection which you recognize as copyrighted, please email the immediately so that they may be removed.

Our Contact Details

HeartKids Victoria including Tasmania

Heartkids Victoria Inc
Post: P.O.Box 803
Parkville VIC 3052

Email:
Web: www.heartkidsvic.org.au

Phone: 03 9513 9030
Fax: 03 9345 6765
This is a message bank service, please leave a message and we will return your call promptly.

For the Support Manager contact Tracy Stanley 0417 569 733
Email:

For media enquiries contact Sharon Elder 0408 554 576
Email:

Tasmania Contact Details

Melissa Bannister
Hobart Branch Co-ordinator
Email:
Phone: 03 6274 1481
Mobile: 0405 050 718

Kylie Smith
Launceston Branch Co-ordinator
Email:
Phone: 03 6393 6240

HeartKids Australia

HeartKids Australia Inc.
P O Box 204
WAHROONGA NSW 2076
Email:

For any Vending Machine enquiries contact Lisa White on:
Email:

Please call during work hours or leave a message on our phone line and you will be contacted within 24 hours. Office: 02 9487 8256
Web: heartkids.org.au

HeartKids State Organisations in Australia

Queensland

HeartKids QLD Inc.
Phone: 07 3341 8145
Fax: 07 3341 5460
Post: P.O. Box 118 UNDERWOOD QLD 4119
Email:
Web: heartkidsqld.org.au

New South Wales

HeartKids N.S.W. Inc.
Phone: 02 9294 0800
Fax: 02 4423 5812
Post: C/-Adolph Basser Cardiac Institute
Children’s Hospital Westmead
Locked Bag 4001
Westmead NSW 2145
Email:
Web: heartkidsnsw.org.au

Western Australia

HeartKids W.A. Inc.
Phone: 08 9340 7996
Fax: 08 9340 7997
Post: P.O. Box 1554 WEST PERTH W.A. 6872
Email:
Web: heartkidswa.org.au

South Australia

HeartKids S.A. Inc.
Ph: 0406 165 111
Post: PO Box 364 North Adelaide SA 5006
Email:
Web: heartkidssa.org.au

Northern Territory

Heart Kids N.T.
P.O. Box 848
Palmerston N.T. 0830

Merchandise

HeartKids is currently running a number of fundraisers to help us continue our support programs and raise awareness about congenital heart defects. To order please complete the order form below or call 03 9513 9030. Please pass on to your friends, family, work colleagues or anyone who may be interested.

HeartKids Teddy Bear $25.00

Our teddy bear is approx 26cm high, very soft and cuddly and features a HeartKids ribbon tied around her neck.

HeartKids Travel Mugs $5.00

White plastic travel mug featuring HeartKids logo on the front. Approximately 15cm high.

Mini Hot Water Bottle with knitted cover $12.50

Miniature hot water bottle measures 24cm high x 15cm wide – two designs: red knitted cover featuring white heart or pink loveheart cover.

Herbie the Ouch $10.95

Help soothe your littlie when bumps and falls happen. Herbie the Ouch Pack will magically take the tears away. Available in Blue & Pink. Contains gel chill pack. Herbie the Ouch Pack is 18cm tall.

Herbie the Love Hug $24.95

Herbie the Love Hug Heat Pillow in super soft micro-velour with a red heart embroidered on for that special touch! Herbie is filled with organically treated wheat and soothing aromatic herbs. Herbie’s healing herbs and wheat gives moist heat to your body, soothes your muscles, relieves joint and neck stiffness, back and stomach cramps, arthritis, sinus, stress and relaxes your mind. Herbie can also assist swollen feet, bruising, fever, sprains and headaches – by placing in the freezer. Herbie the Love Hug is 33cm tall.

HeartKids Car Sticker $7.00

Measures 25cm x 5cm and features the website address.

HeartKids Bucket Hats $15.00

Available in Pink or Lime in sizes S (50cm) M (54cm) L (58cm)

HeartKids Baseball Caps $15.00

Available in Black, Pink and White with adjustable velcro fastening at the back. Features HeartKids logo on front and HeartKids website on back.

HeartKids T-Shirts & Polo Shirts

Children’s & Adult sizes available

Children’s T-Shirt $15, Adult T-Shirt $20, Children’s Polo Shirt $20, Adult Polo Shirt $25
Front
Back

Order Form

Please complete an order form and send your order to us. Order_Form.pdf

HeartKids Coffee Mugs

The mugs are not suitable for posting – you can arrange to pick one up when you next visit the RCH or purchase one at a HeartKids function.

“Stuck On You” Labelling Solutions

Stuck on You has a fantastic range of products to organise your household – Labels, Tools 4 School, Shoe Labels, Luggage Tags, Personalised Journals, Star Charts etc. Now featuring The Wiggles. You can order on-line www.stuckonyou.biz – please remember to list HeartKids Victoria as the fundraising organisation, or call us and we can send you a brochure.

How to become a Sponsor

As a Charity with both State and National offices we welcome sponsors at both levels. For details on how to become a sponsor at a State level please contact us directly.

Email:
Phone: 03 9513 9030
Fax: 03 9345 6001

How to Make a Donation

You can help HeartKids make a difference in the lives of children with heart disease by generously donating. This will continue our vital services of supporting these children and their families as well as raising funds for research and items of need in the Cardiology areas of Children’s Hospitals in Victoria.

You can make a donation via our secure website or by post.
Online Donation – please complete the form below

First Name: *		Surname: *

Email: *

Postal Address: *

Postcode: *

Purpose: National Initiatives State Initiatives

Amount: ($AUD) *

You will be redirected to an eway secured website where you can complete the transaction with your credit card.

Postal Donation – Please complete this form and mail to: HeartKids Victoria, PO Box 803, Parkville, Victoria 3052 or fax 9345 6765
Donation_Form.pdf

Bequest

What is a bequest?
A bequest is a gift that can be either named or anonymous. It is contained within a Will and specifically reserves part of an estate for a particular beneficiary.

A bequest may be:

a sum of money from your estate
a fixed percentage of your estate
the residue of your estate
shares, bonds, life insurance policies, artworks

other personal property

Whilst we are mindful of the personal and sensitive nature of a Will, HeartKids appreciates knowledge of your intention to provide for HeartKids in the form of a Bequest so that we can thank you in your lifetime. All correspondence and information will be held in the strictest confidence.

HeartKids and bequests
HeartKids relies on the generosity of the community in order to run our activities for our Heartkids and their families. Leaving a bequest to HeartKids will ensure that these services continue to support our children and their families living with congenital heart disease.

A Bequest to HeartKids
For more information please contact Scott Reinke, President of HeartKids Victoria, on (03) 9417 0707 or by email at

Gifts in Memory

A Memorial Donation to HeartKids Victoria is a lasting tribute to the memory of a loved child who has passed away. It is also a meaningful alternative to flowers and gives families and friends the opportunity to support HeartKids in its work to ensure less children are born with heart disease and that mortality rates are improved.

Gifts in Memory form Gifts_in_Memory_Form.pdf

Join the HeartKids Community

Free Registration

Corporate Membership

Facts about Childhood Heart Disease

Incidence of Childhood Heart Disease is far greater than most people expect. Although it comes as quite a shock to family and friends alike, an astounding 6 babies each day in Australia are diagnosed with heart disease! Cures remain predominantly unknown and little in general is known about the disease and its causes. Therefore we need your help to assist in addressing this situation

Common known facts about CHD include;

Heart defects are present in 1 in 100 babies
Heart defects are the most common birth abnormality
Heart disease in children is the leading cause of young children death in Australia, accounting for more than 30% of all childhood deaths.
Childhood Heart Disease takes more lives than all other childhood diseases combined
Nearly twice as many children die each year from congenital heart disease compared with all childhood cancers
More than 2015 babies are born in Australia each year with a heart defect
Childhood heart disease is no fault of the parents or the child. It is simply a result of the cruel hand of fate
The severity of defects in heart children can range from a hole in the heart, to a highly complex combination of conditions
Up to 20% of heart defects are gene-linked abnormalities, but for the remaining 80% the cause is largely unknown
More than half of these conditions are serious enough to require treatment through medication or surgery – sadly some cannot be repaired
Cures of these heart conditions remains unidentified, therefore there is an immense need to develop early intervention strategies to identify and prevent heart disease in children
Heart disease is the most common reason for admission of Australian children to intensive care units with more than 1300 being admitted each year
The term ‘congenital heart defect’ refers to an abnormality of the heart, which is present at birth. It has nothing to do with diet or obesity
Heart valve replacements come in 3 forms: homographs (valves from humans) tissue valves (from cows or pigs) and mechanical man-made valves
Some children acquire heart conditions during childhood, eg cardiomyopathy, Kawasaki disease or as a result of rheumatic fever
A disproportionate number of indigenous children suffer from acquired heart disease – often as a result of rheumatic fever, which is rampant in many communities
Heart Transplants are much more challenging for children as their immune systems are not fully developed

The only Paediatric transplant unit in Australia is at the Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne

More than 4 young Australians will die this week as a result of congenital heart disease. Will you help to save them?

Sources:
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
Australian Bureau of Statistics
American Heart Association

Our partners

coming soon

Annual Reports

Our history

Our Vision and Mission

Our Vision

Life unaffected by Childhood Heart Disease.

Our Mission

As the public face of Childhood Heart Disease (“CHD”) and through our active partnering with the medical community and Government, Australia will adopt best practice in the intervention, treatment and support for all those affected.

This will result in a reduction of incidence, decreased mortality, significantly improved quality of life and best outcomes for those affected by CHD.

This will be achieved through our work in support, awareness advocacy and research.

Who we are

HeartKids is a support group for families of children with heart disease, be it congenital (born with) or acquired. We started as voluntary group of parents and individuals dealing with and concerned about the day to day realities of raising and caring for children with cardiac conditions, and sometimes dealing with the loss of a child due to their congenital heart defect. We have grown to an organisation of some strength with a presence in almost every state of Australia, as well as a National body – HeartKids Australia.

Our members wish to offer their support to other families who are in crisis, providing opportunities to share common anxieties and challenges. We arrange, where possible, to meet with other families affected by the impact of life with a child with a cardiac condition and to create a ‘network of support’ for all families.

Over the years, HeartKids Victoria including Tasmania, with the help of members, sponsors and friends, has been able to help out the children’s hospitals by way of donations of money, equipment and research grants.

HeartKids has several regional representatives who offer their time to arrange coffee mornings and special activities in order to support families with a child with congenital heart disease. Telephone support is also offered. Our aim in this area is to ensure that parents aren’t struggling alone.

HeartKids produce seasonal newsletters which update and inform our members on patient progress, special ‘heart family’ activities, government policy, information of relevance, upcoming events and much much more. HeartKids news keeps our geographically diverse membership aware and ‘close’.

HeartKids can assist with information about your hospital stay, for example information on available accommodation, meals, transport and parking. We can also assist with information on the availability of certain hospital services such as social workers, occupational therapists, and speech pathologists.

Most valuable to our families during the crucial time of surgery are our Family Support Co-ordinator in Victoria and our Branch Co-ordinators in Tasmania. These co-ordinators are ‘heart mums’ and understand more than most what families are experiencing during the often tension filled hospital stays.

As well as offering support to families, HeartKids aims to increase awareness in the general community and corporate sector about the high incidence of congenital heart defects and its ongoing consequences.

Getting Started with Expression Engine

Thank you for choosing ExpressionEngine! This entry contains helpful resources to help you get the most from ExpressionEngine and the EllisLab Community.

Technical Support:

All tech support is handled through our Community forums. Our staff and the community respond to issues in a timely manner. Please review the Getting Help section of the User Guide before posting in the forums.

Learning resources:

Getting Started Guide Quick Start Tutorial Video Tutorials

Additional Support Resources:

ExpressionEngine User Guide Knowledge Base ExpressionEngine Wiki

If you need to hire a web developer consider our Professionals Network. You can also place an ad on our Job Board if you prefer that professionals find you.

Love ExpressionEngine? Help spread the word and make some spare change with our Affiliates program.

See you on the boards,

The EllisLab Team