Heart Kids Awareness Month Starts Today

Monday August 1 2016

Heart Kids Awareness Month Starts Today

Heart Kids hopes to raise funds to expand family support during Awareness Month

Donate now to Heart Kids Appeal to help the 12 Kiwi kids born with heart defects every week.

Every week, 12 babies are born with a heart defect in New Zealand. During August, Heart Kids is raising public awareness of babies and children living with childhood heart defects.

Rob Lutter, CEO of Heart Kids New Zealand, says: “While there are surgical procedures that can improve the heart's function, there is no cure for Congenital Heart Defects (CHD). It’s very common for children with heart defects to undergo multiple surgeries and to spend the rest of their lives needing to manage their heart condition.

“Heart Kids is the only charity that supports Kiwi children and families affected by CHD, right through their life,” says Lutter. “Our aim is to expand our community services to provide support for all Kiwi kids affected by heart defects, regardless of where they live.”

Katie Hunt, whose son Noah underwent his first open heart surgery at five-days-old, says the support from Heart Kids was invaluable.

"I found out about Noah’s heart when I was 20 weeks pregnant. A friend told me about Heart Kids, so I made contact with them and the local branch took me under their wing from the first day I made contact.

“Noah had his first of three open heart surgeries at only five days old. Knowing my baby was going in for heart surgery was terrifying and traumatic at first, but the staff at Heart Kids helped my family get through the tough times. They offered advice, information and a shoulder to cry on, all of which was really appreciated. I was grateful that the help didn't stop when we left Starship hospital. They were there for us whenever we needed them.

“I would love to think that during awareness month, Heart Kids would raise enough money by donations from the public to be able to continue supporting all heart kids and their families in New Zealand during their journeys.”

During Heart Kids Awareness Month, Heart Kids is also advocating for the introduction of an early intervention diagnostic tool.

“Early intervention is the key, yet half of babies suffering a serious heart condition go undetected at birth,” says Heart Kids chief executive Rob Lutter. “We believe that all newborns should be offered the pulse oximetry test, which will quickly and painlessly establish whether the babies have a life-threatening heart defect. This test will save lives.”

Heart Kids assists more than 2,800 children and families by providing them with practical, emotional and psychosocial services – be it an information brochure, specialist equipment, leadership development for heart youth and adults, a camping experience, an opportunity to connect with other families or a hot meal for hospital-bound families.

This month, Heart Kids is asking Kiwis to donate generously to help them provide much needed support to New Zealand children with heart defects.

Heart Kids receives no funding from the government and needs your help. You can donate to Heart Kids on the website, www.helpingheartkids.org.nz.

Alternatively, a $3 donation can be made by texting HEART to 2427.

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