Two Feet & A Heartbeat 2026 News Clipping:
Originally posted 17/10/2026 in the Townsville Bulletin and NT News
Link available here
Author: Emma Cam
Having faced the loss of one daughter and the fight to save another, one Townsville family is helping support North Queenslanders navigating the challenges of childhood heart disease.
After losing their firstborn daughter to congenital heart disease and spending months away from home while their youngest fought for her life, one Townsville family has turned heartbreak into a mission to support other families across North Queensland.
For Tamara and Jeff McDonald, the journey began with the devastating loss when their first daughter, Allysha, who died from CHD at just three and a half weeks old in 2011.
Four years later, the couple faced another frightening diagnosis when a routine pregnancy scan revealed their unborn daughter, Kaitlyn, also had a severe heart condition at 30 weeks.
With no specialised treatment available in Queensland at the time, the family was forced to pack up their belongings and relocated to Melbourne for five months.
Kaitlyn spent her first three and a half months in intensive care, battling fluid loss and complications following her first surgery.
After five months away, the family finally returned to Townsville.
“That was the best day ever, finally bringing our girl home to meet the rest of her family,” Ms McDonald said.
Ms McDonald said throughout their hospital stay, HeartKids helped them connect with others facing similar challenges through weekly morning teas, providing a sense of community while they navigated life far from home.
Since returning to North Queensland, the family had continued attending HeartKids events, including the annual Two Feet and A Heartbeat walk.
Which will bring local families together this Saturday, October 17, at Jezzine Brigadier North Park Upper starting Barracks to raise funds and awareness for childhood heart disease.
“It’s the little things that make such a big difference going through this journey and knowing we are not alone,” Ms McDonald said.
Tamara said the annual walk was an opportunity to bring families together and shine a light on the daily challenges faced by children living with childhood heart disease.
Eight babies are born with a heart condition every day in Australia, with about 250,000 Australians living with childhood-onset heart disease.
For many families, surgeries, medications and regular cardiology appointments become part of everyday life.
HeartKids chief executive Samantha Glastonbury said the walk was an opportunity to remind families they were not alone.
“Every person who walks with us is showing children and families impacted by childhood-onset heart disease that they are not walking this journey alone,” she said.
Ms McDonald said she hoped other parents facing a new diagnosis would know support was available.
“It’s not an easy road, but we got through it and you will too. Support is out there.”
