Read some stories from some of our volunteers here.

Whether your involvement is heavy or light, long term or short, we truly appreciate it and we encourage volunteers to contact their State office or HeartKids Australia on 02 9875 4090 to learn more about us.

Thank you – from the bottom of our hearts!

HeartKids employs Family Support Coordinators in each of the major children’s hospitals throughout Australia. They provide vital emotional and practical support to families of children with heart disease and almost without exception are ‘Heart Mums’ themselves – so understand the emotional and financial toll of the usually long, stressful hospital stays.

The value of the role played by Family Support Coordinators (FSCs) is best explained by the families of Heartkids. Pete and Elyse Edwards from Adelaide describe their Family Support Coordinators as their lifeline when son Joe was born in September 2012 with severe and complex Congenital Heart Disease.

“To date, we have spent five of Joe’s seven months in the Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne. This has been the most testing time of our lives, and we believe we could not have coped without the support of the HeartKids Family Support team.

“When we first arrived in Melbourne we were feeling lost inside the big machine which is our public health system, with no familiar faces and only two days of accommodation. FSC Sherrie was straight on the case, helping us to cross paths with the Hospital’s Social Work Team & Ronald McDonald House. When we discovered that our Melbourne visit was to be dramatically extended (past our expected 12 day stay), FSC Tracy snapped to it, helping us to make longer term arrangements. FSC Amy was always there for a chat, a friendly smile, and to make sure we always had enough meal vouchers to see us through.

“The highlights of our week were always the bi-weekly HeartKids Morning Teas. We were a little shy at first, but FSC Sherrie always came to see us on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, to see if we would be joining them. After not too much prodding, and an attendance pact made with another parent, we went to our first morning tea and never looked back.

“The morning teas gave us an opportunity to meet with other parents in the hospital, and share our stories, and even share a few much-needed laughs. There soon emerged a strong community of support between ourselves and a distinct group of other long-term families, as well as our Family Support Coordinators. We have looked after each other through good times and bad times, and this has continued long after most of our children have been discharged. It could not have happened without those HeartKids Morning Teas.

“Our Family Support Coordinators have a sixth sense, they always know when to pop round with a respite voucher of some sort, be it a voucher for Elyse to get her hair done, or free tickets to the Football, or a couple of Movie Tickets for us to get away for a couple of hours together. They always knew when we needed to get some air.

“We now know that whenever we are in Melbourne for Joe’s operations there is a friendly face waiting for us who understands what we’re going through. We are forever grateful for the support of the HeartKids Family Support Team.”

The $50,000 donation from Charter Hall will be used by HeartKids to develop and implement a new National Training and Development Program for Family Support Coordinators. Support is provided from as early as the 20 week ultrasound through to the teenage years and beyond.  The nature of the support extends from practical assistance through to bereavement counseling and everything in between.  The role of a Family Support Coordinator is complex, and they frequently face challenging and emotionally draining situations.  Under the Charter Hall program HeartKids will audit current skills, and deliver training and development to ensure the best possible service is provided to all Heartkids and their families.

The program will also provide induction training for new staff – very timely as HeartKids will be expanding its regional and community-based services across Australia in the coming 12 months.

According to Jann Kingston, CEO of HeartKids Australia, “We are thrilled to receive the funding for this program from Charter Hall.  There is a strong fit between the values of Charter Hall and HeartKids Australia in terms of being forward thinking, professional, passionate and realistic.  This program will make a very real difference to the support we provide families who have a child born with a heart defect. Each month we will send through stories demonstrating a different aspect of the work of an FSC so Charter Hall people can understand how they are helping. We look forward to a long and rewarding relationship.”

Charter Hall’s National Charity Committee considered a number of charities to support for 2013, and selected HeartKids Australia after a rigorous assessment process.

In addition to the $50,000 donation, Charter Hall is also encouraging its’ employees to get behind the cause and volunteer their time at various HeartKids events and activities in their local state.

Charter Hall is one of Australia’s leading fully integrated property groups, with over 22 years experience managing high quality property on behalf of institutional, wholesale and retail clients.

The rides started at the MCG at 8am on Saturday 27th April. We will post updates on our Facebook page as the ride progresses and you can find a feed of this page on the home page of this site.

What is Chain Reaction

Chain Reaction is the ultimate corporate bike challenge that raises money for sick children by challenging senior executives who have a passion for cycling and an awareness of their corporate and social responsibilities, to ride a 1,000 plus kilometre course in 7 days. Chain Reaction is not a mass-participation event; instead it concentrates on selected individuals who want the physical challenge. In return, they benefit from a valuable networking opportunities and the immense satisfaction of directly helping sick children.

Since 2007 Chain Reaction has conducted 10 rides for the Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane business communities, and has raised over $8.5 million on behalf of its children’s charity partners.

History

Chain Reaction was founded in 2007 by Berrick Wilson after his daughter Milla was rushed to hospital with a brain haemorrhage when she was 2 days old.  Over the weeks that Berrick and his wife Caroline spent at the Newborn Intensive Care Unit at the Monash Medical Centre, they benefitted from quality care and attention from all the medical staff. What was obvious from the experience was that even in Australia’s major capital cities, more can be done to help our sick children. After Milla recovered fully, the experience drove Berrick to do something that would allow people in a similar position to himself to assist sick and hospitalised children. As a result Chain Reaction was founded.

The 2013 New South Wales Challenge

The Chain Reaction Challenge New South Wales 2013 will be the second ride for the New South Wales business community and will cover more than 1,100 kilometres in 7 days.

Route: The event will offer riders an unforgettable ride commencing from the MCG in Melbourne and finishing at the SCG in Sydney. The ride will pass through towns such as Beechworth, Corryong, Cooma, Canberra and Moss Vale. The ride will also cross the picturesque and challenging Snowy Mountains and visit Cabramurra, Australia’s highest town.
Number of riders: 30
Money raised for the 2013 New South Wales ride so far: $520,000 (as of 12  April 2013)
Target funds raised: $700,000

Facts about the 2012 New South Wales Challenge

Funds raised from 2012 New South Wales event: $1,006,000
2012 New South Wales ride funds distributed to: Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute – to purchase a microscope that will be used by researchers to help identify the cause of Congenital Heart Disease in newborn children.

2013 New South Wales Challenge Major Charity Partners

Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute – The Victor Chang Research Institute (VCCRI) was established in 1994 and conducts research into the prevention of heart disease.  Heart defects are the most common form of birth defect. Due to research and the ever-improving cardiac care these babies receive their survival to adulthood has increased to 85%.  Congenital Heart Disease is one of the most common forms of birth defect in newborn babies with the more severe cases requiring repeated surgery. The VCCRI conducts world-leading research into the role genes play in this disease.  Funds raised from 2013 New South Wales Chain Reaction Challenge will used by the VCCRI to undertake further research in finding the cause to congenital heart disease.

On May 12-15 Teen Camp Ambassador and adult Heartkid Dr Michael Toon – and his junior Doctor colleagues – will be staging the world premiere of “World of Chickens” by acclaimed local writer Nick Earls. Nick himself is a graduate of the UQ Medical School, and UQ Alumnus of the Year in 2006, but now is a full-time writer, having had many of his novels adapted into plays and two into films. It is a huge honour and stroke of good fortune to be staging the World Premiere of this novel as it is being made into a feature film in Brisbane this year.

Adapted for theatre, this is a play about friendship, family, love, ambition and grilled chicken burgers.

50% of proceeds from ticket sales will go to HeartKids so please get along to The Studio at Metro Arts in the Brisbane CBD on May 12-15 and support Dr Michael and the Ashintosh Foundation – the charity and community arm of the University of Queensland Medical Society.

Tickets are just $30 and they are expecting the production to sell out, so get in quick!

Guaranteed to be a hilarious night out!!

Buy Tickets

Book tickets online here: http://www.metroarts.com.au/?page=14&maxD=13-05&theMnth=13-05

More information here: http://www.shortcasetheatre.com

Ten percent of takings from the sale of this range will be donated by the Gregory family to HeartKids and the Heart Centre for Children at Westmead Children’s Hospital.

Edward Gregory, co-CEO, is dedicating the line to honour the support he and his family are experiencing from both organisations. Edward’s daughter Eden is the newest edition to the third generation of the Gregory family in Australia and was born in November 2011. Eden has already had two surgeries to repair a heart defect she was given little hope of recovering from, and now a healthy toddler, will not need another surgery until 16 years.

“What Eden and my wife Kelly and I went through was traumatic, but the incredible dedication, focus and determination we witnessed from the staff at these organisations was what gave every child and parent hope.

“With Eden in intensive care and the figure of one in three children with a heart defect not making it to their first birthday, well we were completely overwhelmed.  But the level of care we received was incredible. And we just thought we were in the privileged position to help.

Jewellery creations in the pure, white metal known today as sterling silver, were among the first forged by Gregory’s founding directors in their Aramaic homeland called Midyat.  The launch of ‘Gregory 925’ sees a return to sterling silver after more than 45 years crafting in highly precious metals like gold & platinum.

We encourage you to visit one of the Gregory boutiques to view this very special collection, and remember, 10% of any purchase will be donated to HeartKids and the Heart Centre for Children at Westmead Children’s Hospital.

The Heart Beads Program hopes to enrich the experience of Heartkids & their families at children’s hospitals
throughout Australia. Children are rewarded with distinctive beads specific to each procedure or treatment they receive.

The children feel a sense of achievement for their courage & the beads help them tell their story.

Each child’s beads are special & unique to them. The beads are a reward for all the hardships the children face in
their hospital stay & the children look forward to receiving them. Children are able to trace their unique journey & tell
their story through the beads. The beads help the children talk about their experiences & forge relationships with
other children. Both boys & girls enjoy the benefits of the program.

HeartKids Australia would like to take this opportunity to thank the Northern Beaches Social Riders club for their ongoing support, we truly appreciate your help in raising money and awareness to support children with heart disease and their families.

About Northern Beaches Social Riders

The Northern Beaches Social Riders are a group of like minded people from different backgrounds & walks of life. Mothers, Fathers, Grandparents, Tradespersons & Professionals, whose passion is riding Motorcycles, attending family involved events, & fundraising for Children’s charities. Northern Beaches Social Riders was established in July 2004, & in the last eight years the club has consistently seen its membership numbers increase.

The club raises its donations by holding weekly meat raffles at The Terrey Hills Tavern, conducting major raffle draws with tickets being sold within the Northern Beaches community & at regular social functions which are popular with the members & their families. 

The Northern Beaches Social Riders hold several organised rides a month. Members are contacted via e-mail & SMS & can keep up with the rides & other information from the clubs website. The calendar is updated on a regular basis at our monthly meetings held on the second Tuesday of each month at The Belrose Bowling Club at 7:30pm.

If you have any further enquiries or you would like to know when the next function or ride is on please contact the club either by email on harley@rideforthekids.com.au, on the club phone 0410.583.395 or by post at P.O Box 570, Terrey Hills N.S.W 2084.

Also see below the letter written by the Hon. Kevin Rudd, MP and Steven Ciobo, MP to the Prime Minister Julia Gillard indicating bipartisan support for HeartKids and requesting MPs wear the HeartKids pin in Parliament House on February 14.

HeartKids is working in each State and nationally throughout February to raise awareness of Child Heart Disease – the biggest killer of Australian kids under one.

Some of our activities include:

• Merchandise on sale at HCF branches; Heart Wand $5, Flashing Heart $4 and HeartKids Lapel Pin $2
• We are the charity partner at the inaugural Swisse Color Run on February 10 at Homebush Park, officially opened by new HeartKids Ambassador, Erin Densham, herself an adult Heartkid
• Research programs: we are announcing our 2013 Grant- in-Aid Awards on February 13 in Melbourne
• Kevin Rudd, Steve Choibo and other members of Parliament plan to support HeartKids by wearing HeartKids lapel pins when the House of Representatives sits on February 14. This is a unique bipartisan demonstration of support for HeartKids from an adult Heartkid (Kevin Rudd) and the father of a Heartkid (Steve Choibo).

Please refer to our State websites (these can be located via the top right hand corner of our website) for details of local activities in your State.

HeartKids Australia would like to take this opportunity to thank all the everyday Australians whose support enables us to provide vital support programs and live-giving research to Heartkids and their families throughout the country.

Six babies are born with a heart defect every day in Australia, on average that’s one in a hundred babies. Every week four precious lives are lost.

Child heart disease is the biggest killer of Aussie kids under one.

With the help of everyday Australians like you, we can work towards lives unaffected by child heart disease.  Thank you.