Heart kids on Warfarin staying cosy this winter

27 May 2015

Heart kids on Warfarin staying cosy this winter

As the winter weather draws in, a number of vulnerable children with heart conditions will benefit from a generous gift from The NZ Toy Distributors Association. The Association has made a significant donation of 20 CoaguChek kits to the Paediatric Cardiology ward (ward 23b) at Starship Hospital, through their new partnership with Heart Kids New Zealand.

CoaguChek devices are used to monitor heart kids who have to take a daily dose of Warfarin to help their hearts, and regular monitoring of the dose levels to prevent bleeding and complications is needed. If at-home monitoring is not possible, children have to venture out to clinics for this regular and essential testing, and this can be especially challenging during the cold winter months when heart children can face major health trials due to their compromised hearts.

“We are delighted to have this supply of INR testing machines. Home testing of INR’s means families do not need to attend the lab for tests, and are therefore able to fit the testing into their everyday lives,” said Dawn Tucker, Charge Nurse Manager.

“The NZ Toy Distributors Association (NZTDA) is pleased to assist Heart Kids NZ and Ward 23b at Starship by providing a year’s supply of 20 kits for the kids. We chose to support Heart Kids NZ as we know it’s directly benefiting the children and families throughout NZ who need this equipment,” said NZTDA’s charity spokesperson Chris Stephens.

“This is great news for our Heart Kids who need the kits. Generally these Heart Kids are the most in need, but we need to source funding for this important equipment. Through this kind donation from the NZTDA, the necessary regular testing can now be done at home by the families,” CEO of Heart Kids Rob Lutter said.

Heart Kids New Zealand is so pleased to be working with the NZTDA, and this generous donation will make all the difference to the children and families who need this specialised equipment.

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