Hon. Kevin Rudd MP receiving a plaque of recognition from HeartKids Australia Chairman Brian E Pereira

HeartKids Australia CEO Jann Kingston, HeartKids Australia Chairman Brian E Pereira, Hon Kevin Rudd MP, HeartKids QLD State Manager Anne Bannister

On the 18 April at the Mater Children’s Hospital, Brisbane, Mr Rudd today launched a new video message, which he fronted, to raise awareness of Childhood Heart Disease (CHD), and to promote support for HeartKids, Australia’s CHD charity and family support organisation. Mr Rudd tells of how he got “pretty sick” after acquiring rheumatic fever as a child, something that has become part of his life ever since. In encouraging everyone to “get behind the HeartKids charity”, Mr Rudd reflects on the confronting fact that six Australian babies born each day already have heart disease.

HeartKids Australia CEO, Jann Kingston, said “Mr Rudd’s involvement will raise awareness of this devastating disease, which is one of the biggest killers of infants in the first year of life.
“By sharing his personal experience, Mr Rudd is able to communicate the HeartKids’ message in a way few people can. That message is that, with support and care, many children with CHD can not only survive but thrive, and more research can be funded to reduce the incidence and impact of both congenital and acquired heart disease”, Ms Kingston said

“Mr Rudd’s openness about his own heart disease experience also delivers a very important message to the 32,000 Australian children under the age of 18 living with heart disease, and, their families – including those he met at the hospital today. That message is one of hope.
Life with Childhood Heart Disease is challenging, and, sadly, some children do not survive. However, Mr Rudd, Australia’s highest profile ‘heart kid’, is proof that a near normal and successful life can be possible, and that heart kids can go on to do great things. You can’t underestimate how important that message is…”
“HeartKids Australia is deeply grateful to Mr Rudd for his warm-hearted support, his personal encouragement, and the generous giving of his time, both to make the video, and to launch it today”. Ms Kingston said.
“We also thank Mater Children’s Hospital for hosting the launch, and HeartKids Queensland for initially reaching out to Mr Rudd”, Ms Kingston said.”

We will have collectors at the game as well as the Glenn Archer’s HeartKids ad running on the big scoreboard during the game and interviews at half time. Brett Kirk will also mention HeartKids during the game when the commentators cross to him. Tomorrow James Brayshaw will mention the cup and HeartKids on the Footy Show.

We wish to thank the Sydney Swans, North Melbourne Football clubs, Jarrad and Glenn for agreeing to support us in this way and agreeing to make the HeartKids Cup an annual event.

Please visit the North Melbourne website for their article about the match http://www.kangaroos.com.au/News/NewsArticle/tabid/4912/newsId/133413/Default.aspx

Please visit the Sydney Swans website for their article about the match http://www.sydneyswans.com.au/match%20day%20information/tabid/17484/default.aspx

McVeigh launches HeartKids Cup http://www.sydneyswans.com.au/News/NewsArticle/tabid/7106/newsId/133405/Default.aspx

The Age 18 April 2012 http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/no-goodes-no-worries-for-swans-20120418-1×6rw.html

Sky News 18 April 2012 http://www.skynews.com.au/sport/article.aspx?id=740722&vId=

AFL News 18 April 2012 http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/133429/default.aspx?utm_source=AFL+and+club+newsletters&utm_campaign=acb1c95bf1-Runner_R4&utm_medium=email

Herald Sun 19 April 2012 http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/close-to-jarrad-mcveighs-heart/story-fn9eu7in-1226332015353

Daily Telegraph 19 April 2012 http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/afl/sydney-swans-and-kangaroos-playing-for-heartkids-cup/story-e6frexwr-1226331969737

The ‘Grants-in-Aid’ program is a new research funding program to support Australian research into congenital and acquired CHD. The Grants-in-Aid program is supported by our founding partner, Wilson HTM Foundation along with partners Kiwanis Australia, and the Heart Foundation. Established by HeartKids Australia to supplement our existing 2-3 year research project grants, the ‘Grants-in-Aid’ program funds small one year research projects and assists in building research capacity.

Chris Semsarian and Prof Richard Harvey

Presenting the awards to the two NSW researchers – Professor Chris Semsarian of the Centenary Institute and Professor Richard Harvey of the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute at a function in Sydney on March 22, Brian Pereira Chairman of HeartKids Australia reaffirmed the importance of research into childhood heart disease as it is one of the leading causes of infant death as well as affecting the lives of so many children.

“We hope these grants will give us a better understanding of this devastating disease and that this will lead to improved diagnosis, better treatments and increased quality of life for those affected.”

“The money we raised throughout the year has been awarded to outstanding researchers from around Australia in a very competitive process. We aim to support and grow the Australian research effort specifically directed to childhood heart disease.”

In this first round of grants the following researchers have been funded:

• Professor Richard Harvey, Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Sydney: “iPS cell technology and the molecular basis of hypoplastic left heart.” Co-funded with the Heart Foundation.
• Dr Suzanne Long, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Melbourne: “Cardiac rehabilitation for heart kids who undergo early surgery.” Co-funded by Kiwanis Australia.
• Dr Jim Ramsay, Princess Margaret Hospital, Perth: “Pulse oximetry screening for congenital heart disease in Western Australia.”
• Mr Marc Remond, James Cook University, Cairns:  “Sharing success – improving secondary prophylaxis for rheumatic fever in indigenous Australian children.”
• Professor Chris Semsarian, The Centenary Institute, Sydney: “Getting to the heart of sudden, unexplained death in children.”
• Associate Professor Yves d’Udekem, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne: “The Australian and New Zealand Fontan Registry.”

Jann Kingston , Robert Gilchrist from Kiwanis Australia, Dr. Anne Fletcher

Dr. Anne Fletcher, Rachel Palmer, Brian E Pereira and Jamie Taylor

HeartKids Australia is a not for profit organisation that offers support to children and their families who are suffering with CHD, which is one of the leading causes of infant death in Australia. Every week, more than four Australians die from CHD.

Video of Sherrie McDonald, one of our Family Support Coordinators with her HeartKid daugther, Abby McDonald.

We awarded the 2012 Spirit of HeartKids award to Jaden Dixon. A very deserving winner! Congratulations Jaden.

Jaden also writes a great blog, it gives you a great insight into the life of a HeartKid and what a truly remarkable person she is. Read it here

The teen camp provides teenagers who are experiencing the incredible trials of living with heart disease the opportunity to meet with teenagers experiencing the same things as them and to receive support from the HeartKids organisation and its large team of volunteers and specialists.

The HeartKids teen camp provides a very special environment like no other for the teenagers. Many of them have remarked it is the only avenue where they are in the company of the only people who truly understood their life experience.

This year’s Teen Camp was held in Broken Bay Recreational Centre, Hawksbury River in NSW from the 20th January to the 23rd January. Activities enjoyed by the teenagers include Abseiling, Rock climbing, Ropes course, Archery, Volleyball, Canoeing, Swimming and much more.

Why not visit the HeartKids Teen Camp Facebook page for more photographs and comments by the Heart-teens themselves!

We would like to thank our Principal Partner for the Teen Camp, The Black Horse Foundation and Sponsor Amway for their support of this important event in the HeartKids Calendar.

These messages will all be given to the HeartKids at the hospitals Australia wide!

Also during the month of February, buy a Heart combo or heart products from any of RFG brands during February and help us raise over a million dollars towards finding a cure and helping these families. RFG’s iconic homegrown Australian brands include Donut King, bb’s cafe, Brumby’s Bakery, Michel’s Patisserie and Big Dad’s Pies.

Click here to go to their website for more.

Make a note in your calendars for HeartKids Awareness Month this February, when Australians will be encouraged to support Australia’s little battlers – those struggling with Childhood Heart Disease (CHD). The month of February brings Valentine’s Day, so why not celebrate by helping a heart in need? Here are some ways to get involved and support HeartKids this February 2012.

Capture a Heart on Facebook

When you see a heart in your everyday life, take a photo of it and enter the image via the HeartKids Facebook page to be in the running to win some fantastic prizes. ‘Your heart’ can be anything found in nature, in your city, town, home, business, school or something you created. The public will vote on the best ‘hearts’ and the top entries will be shortlisted. The winner will be selected from the shortlist by a panel of judges, including internationally renowned photographer, Ken Duncan. The ‘Capture a Heart’ competition goes live on the HeartKids Australia Facebook page from the 24th January 2012 with the winner announced at the end of February. To get involved in the competition, make sure you are a fan of the Heart Kids Australia facebook page (www.facebook.com/HeartKidsAustralia) to ensure you receive future updates about the competition.

Wall of Hearts

During the month of February, customers can dedicate a heart at participating Retail Food Group outlets, such as Donut King, Brumby’s and Michele’s Patisserie. Write a message of love and support to those suffering with CHD and stick it on the ‘Wall of Hearts.’ A collection of these heart messages will be sent to CHD sufferers in hospitals Australia-wide. Participating outlets will also promote HeartKids Combo’s throughout the month of February: Michele’s Patisserie will offer a heart-shaped lamington and coffee; Donut King will offer heart-shaped donuts, while Brumby’s will offer special Gingerbread Men. A percentage of all sales from these combos will be donated to HeartKids.

Golden Heart Campaign

Or simply give the gift of a healthy heart this Valentine’s Day by visiting the HeartKids website to make a donation. www.heartkids.org.au

CEO of HeartKids Australia, Alan Bowden, said: “We need to generate as much awareness as possible for Childhood Heart Disease (CHD) as it is still off the radar for much of the population, even though it’s the biggest killer of children under the age of one. Most people will remember “Hole in the Heart” and “Blue Babies” but not many would realise that 6 children are born with congenital heart defect every day.”

“In addition, many people are disenchanted by the commercialisation of Valentine’s Day. At HeartKids, we want to encourage people to make a donation and give a gift that’s not only a special but makes a difference to people’s lives as well,” he said.

HeartKids Australia is a not for profit organisation that offers support to children and their families who are suffering with CHD. Each year approximately 2,000 children are born in Australia with a heart defect, and every week, more than four children die from CHD. There is no cure for congenital heart disease and little is known about the disease and its causes.

HeartKids would like to say a big THANK YOU to all the schools who supported us by hosting a Cupcakes for HeartKids event to help raise funds for HeartKids. We were overwhelmed by the enthusiam showed by the schools who participated and have recived some amazing pictures of the different events.

Students from St Aloysius Catholic Primary School Queenscliff had fun making their cupcakes.

Cindy, Sophie, Tamara from Narembeen District High School in WA serving their teacher Mrs Birch

After all their hard work decorating their cupcakes the students from St Aloysius Catholic Primary School then set up shop and helped riase funds for HeartKids.

We are thrilled to announce the winning schools who will each receive a fantastic Canon PowerShot SX130 IS Camera and a Canon Selphy CP780 printer, and we would like to thank Canon very much for their support of this campaign and on-going support of HeartKids.

The winning schools are:

NSW: Mount Victoria Public School
VIC: St Aloysius Primary School
QLD: Glamorgan Vale State School
WA: Narembeen District High School
SA: Loreto College
TAS: Glen Dhu Primary School

Congratulations to all the winning schools and once again to all the schools that participated in the Cupcakes for HeartKids Campaign we would like to thank your for all your support of HeartKids.

Tamara from Narembeen District High School got into the true spirit of cupcake enjoyment.