Heart Kids New Zealand

Every week, 12 families are told their babies have a heart defect in New Zealand. It is the world's number one birth defect. Whilst there are surgical procedures that can improve the heart's function, there is no cure for Congenital Heart Disease. Heart Kids NZ is the only charity that supports Kiwi children and families affected by CHD, right through their life. We receive no government funding. We have to fund-raise for all the services we provide. The needs of those with a childhood heart condition are different from the needs of those who acquire heart disease later in life. Whilst there are other organisations that focus on promoting healthy living and the prevention of heart disease acquired through lifestyle choice, Heart Kids NZ focus is on those who are living with a childhood heart condition that has existed from conception or as a result of rheumatic fever, cardiomyopathy, or Kawasaki disease. We are the only organisation in New Zealand dedicated to supporting all those affected by a childhood heart condition. We provide family support locally around New Zealand for over 5500 families and at Starship Hospital, where 450 open Heart Surgeries a year are performed on our Kids alone. We also provide annual camps for kids aged 8 to 12 years old and teenage camps for 13 to 17 years, scholarships, medical research assistance, Care packages, Anti-Coagulant machines and MedicAlert bracelets.