Heart Kids

At HeartKids Qld we strive to offer support, encouragement and hope to families of children with Heart Disease. We raise awareness and vital funding into the causes of this chronic disease. HeartKids Qld Inc is a not-for-profit, charitable organisation, committed to enhancing the lives of children born with Congenital Heart Disease/Defects (CHD) & their families.

While for many families of these children the future is clouded with uncertainty, our goal is to secure the futures of our very special kids. We are also seeking to gain greater public awareness and support for our cause so that we can make a real difference.

In 80% of cases the cause of Congenital Heart Disease is unknown. We have recently partnered with leading cardiologists and researchers with the aim of providing them with financial support to assist with research and management of children with heart disease. Only with research into the cause can we improve the outcomes for heart children.

We support our families through our Family Support Program at the Mater Children's Hospital which includes providing meals for parents when their children are admitted to hospital. Many Heart children require multiple surgeries and lengthy hospital stays. CHD is the number one reason that children are admitted to intensive care.

"Benjamin spent the first 7 weeks of life in intensive care, he is my own special miracle. When I was told that he would only live for a few months my world came crashing down. Now 21 months later and after 3 surgeries he is a cheeky toddler. My world will still never be the same and we may be facing more surgery in the future but the support, friendship and compassion I receive from HeartKids gives me strength and inspiration. I am so thankful they fund research into CHD as there is every chance this research may save my sons life." Melissa Simpson mum to Heart Child Benjamin.

HeartKids Qld is the only support group in Qld that represents the interests of these precious children who we call "HeartKids".

Over 70 per cent of our heart families are from regional and remote Queensland who often have to travel to Brisbane for treatment.

With the advances in medical technology, heart children can now survive into their teens and beyond. This is a growing population of people needing ongoing chronic healthcare management.. HeartKids Qld regularly funds new and vital medical equipment.

• 1 in 100 Australian children are born with a Congenital Heart Defect (CHD).
• Every 3 & ^1/2 hours a child is born with a serious heart defect.
• 6 babies a day are born with CHD (2015 Babies a year).
• It is the no.1 reason for child death (accounting for 35 per cent of all deaths).
• It is the no.1 birth abnormality in Australia.
• Heart defects range from a hole in the heart to a complex combination of conditions.
• Heart disease is the most common reason for admission of Australian children into intensive care units with more than 1300 being admitted each year.