HEARTKIDS has called on Australians to join in its annual Sweethearts for HeartKids campaign to support children born with a childhood-onset heart disease (CoHD) and their families.
The campaign runs throughout Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week (February 7–14) and leads into Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Day on February 14. Congenital heart disease is the most common congenital condition in Australia, impacting families from birth and often requiring lifelong care. Every day in Australia, eight babies are born with CoHD.
Sweethearts for HeartKids has urged Australians to donate $8 for the eight babies diagnosed each day and help provide vital support to more than 250,000 children, teenagers and adults living with heart conditions across the country.
Funds raised through the campaign enable HeartKids to increase access to essential support services in hospitals, communities, and regional areas. This includes family support programs, teen camps, education days and funding the HeartKids Helpline, which offers guidance and connection for families navigating a heart disease diagnosis.
Heart mum and newly appointed HeartKids CEO Sami Glastonbury said: “As a mother of three, with two children living with heart conditions, I know how overwhelming a diagnosis can feel. HeartKids helps families feel seen and supported at a time when everything feels uncertain.”
“Families often spend long periods in hospital or travelling for care. The practical and emotional support HeartKids provides is something you cannot put a price on.
“Giving $8 may seem like a small gesture, but when our generous community give together, the collective impact helps ensure families facing childhood-onset heart disease have support when it matters most.”
People can support Sweethearts for HeartKids in a number of ways:
Donate $8 for eight children or visit HeartKids volunteers in red at local shopping centres between February 7-14 to donate on the spot for less than the cost of a rose.
Host a Sweethearts fundraiser, such as a Galentine’s or Valentine’s event, breakfast, movie night or dinner, to raise funds and spark conversations.
Volunteer at local Sweethearts activations, including shopping centres, airports, and community events.
Businesses can take part by:
Participating in Sweethearts for HeartKids in a way that suits their team and location.
Engaging staff through workplace fundraising or internal events.
Showing visible support in offices or shopfronts to help raise awareness.
About childhood-onset heart disease: CoHD is an umbrella term for lifelong heart conditions that begin from birth or during childhood. These conditions can impact people in many ways, often including early surgical interventions, fluctuating health, key developmental, educational, relational, and occupational transitions, as well as ongoing uncertainty, medical decision-making, adversity and adjustment.
Key statistics:
Eight babies are born each day with a heart condition.
Four young lives are lost every week.
CoHD places a significant burden on an estimated 250,000 Australian children, teens and adults and a larger number of family members and carers (prevalence based on known incidence of CHD, AIHW, 2019), with an estimated 1,000,000 Australians touched by CoHD.
The total economic burden associated with CoHD is estimated at $2.292 billion a year, including GDP loss of about $12.89 million annually (Sapere, 2024).
People with CoHD are at a greater risk of neurodevelopmental impairment and disability including developmental delay and other learning difficulties.
CoHD poses a substantial economic burden on people impacted by the conditions, Australia’s healthcare system, educational institutions, the workforce and the broader economy.
For more information, visit www.heartkids.org.au/
