Two Feet & A Heartbeat 2026 News Clipping:

Originally posted 08/10/2026 in the Advocate
Additionally posted on 08/10/2026 in the Launceston Examiner
Story link here
Story by Freddie Moffat

HANNAH Hughes knew very early in her daughter Alexis Groves’ life that something was not right.

The Devonport girl was 14 days old when a midwife started to notice the initial issues.

“She was sleeping more than expected, there was a slight decrease in being able to feed, and her colour started to fade out,” Ms Hughes said.

After trips across hospitals, culminating in Melbourne, it was found Alexis was born with atrioventricular septal defect.

It is a one-in-2100 heart defect where holes form in the walls between the chambers of the heart, and the valves do not form properly.

It puts more stress on the heart by allowing oxygen-rich and oxygen-poor blood to mix, and forcing extra blood into the lungs.

It was a shock for Ms Hughes, who was also juggling care for another child.

When Alexis was 10 weeks old, she underwent three major surgeries within 14 days in Melbourne.

“The first surgery successfully patched the holes, then they attempted to repair the valve [across two surgeries],” Ms Hughes said.

“They decided it didn’t look any better on the scan, so they just replaced it completely with a mechanical valve.”

At five years old, Alexis had a pacemaker installed, in Melbourne at the height of COVID-19.

“It was a long journey as a baby, and I’m not really sure where the years in between have gone but now it’s moved quite quickly,” Ms Hughes said.

“Now we’re talking about what [Alexis] might do as an adult.

“It’s definitely a place I never thought we would be.”

It has not stopped Alexis in her pursuits, the grade 6 girl has been playing netball since grade 2.

“I have to be careful if I get hit in the head, or hit in general, and if I get bruised I have to check it doesn’t go further,” Alexis said.

The mother and daughter share their story ahead of the Coast’s first HeartKids’ Two Feet and a Heartbeat walk.

They will be pounding the pavement on Sunday, October 11, at Ulverstone, as other families living with childhood-onset heart disease, and supporters, come together to raise funds for the organisation.

Ms Hughes said HeartKids assisted with accommodation while they were in Melbourne for surgeries.

“It’s nice to be able to meet with people and share stories,” she said.