Heart Kids celebrates born warriors, soldiers and fighters

MEDIA RELEASE
Wednesday 5th August 2015

Heart Kids celebrates born warriors, soldiers and fighters

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 effectively becoming warriors, soldiers and fighters. Heart Kids provides lifelong support to these children and has launched a campaign to celebrate their strength and bravery.

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

Rob Lutter, CEO of Heart Kids New Zealand, says every child Heart Kids supports shows true strength of character and toughness of spirit.

“Whilst 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.

This year’s appeal celebrates the innate strength and resilience of children born with heart defects, such as Marc Tai who was born with a hole in his heart. At just two months old he underwent seven hours of open heart surgery and was put on life support. Throughout Marc’s recovery he has proven he is one determined little man and is now an energetic four year-old.

The campaign also features one year-old Jesse Eastlake as a born solider, and 11 year-old Merapi Uangakore as a born warrior. Visit heartkids.co.nz to read their touching stories.

These are just three of the more than 2,800 children and families Heart Kids supports 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, a hot meal for hospital-bound families, or just a shoulder to cry on.

Heart Kids receives no funding from the government and needs your help. On Friday 7th August, Heart Kids will be collecting throughout New Zealand on the street.

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

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