Race to Remember
Let’s race to remember.
What is
Childhood-onset Heart Disease (CoHD)?
Childhood-onset heart disease (CoHD) is the collective term for the spectrum of heart conditions that affect the heart’s ability to work efficiently.
Heart defects and conditions experienced from birth are known as Congenital Heart Diseases (CHD). Acquired Heart Disease refers to conditions that arise later in childhood, commonly as a result of infections or exposures.
Condition Types
Aortic Valve Disease
Atrial Septal Defect
Atrio-ventricular Septal Defect (AVSD)
Cardiomyopathy
Coarctation of the Aorta
Cyanotic Congenital disease
Hypoplastic Right Heart Syndrome (HRHS)
Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HlHS)
Mitral Valve Disease
Persistent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA)
Pulmonary Atresia
Pulmonary Valve Disease
Single Ventricle Pathology
Tetralogy of Fallot (ToF)
Pulmonary Stenosis
Transposition of the Great Arteries (TGA)
Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD)
What We Do
HeartKids is the only Australian not-for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting and advocating for families impacted by childhood-onset heart disease (CoHD).
Our Support
We bring care and connection to those living with CoHD. As your CoHD companion for life, HeartKids makes holistic care possible with access to tailored information, resources, and support.
Our Impact
HeartKids provides much-needed quality services, support and solutions to more than 80,000 Australian children, teenagers and adults affected by CoHD.
Our Resources
HeartKids provides trusted information and resources about CoHD. Our resource library is a one-stop-shop for all our CoHD resources, including fact sheets, podcasts, videos and more.
How You Can Help
Give to HeartKids
Your heartfelt gift will bring hope and transformation to over 80,000 Australians living with CoHD, and much-needed support to hundreds of families coping with the grief and loss of their child. Discover the ways to give and get involved today.
Community Fundraising
Find your passion and get involved in making a lasting difference in the lives of those impacted by CoHD. Discover our engaging community programs today.Â
Get Your Work Involved
Discover how to get your workplace involved in transforming the lives of those living with CoHD today.Â
Volunteer With Us
We greatly appreciate the gift of your time as we unite to support those living with CoHD. Explore the many ways you can volunteer with HeartKids. Â
Latest News and Stories
Supporting Early Development with HeartKids’ Better Beginnings Program
Children with Childhood-onset Heart Disease (CoHD) can face developmental delays, especially those who undergo surgery before their first birthday. These delays may go unnoticed until formal schooling begins. To help children’s development, a HeartKids Occupational Therapist created the Better Beginnings program. The program provides early assessment and intervention to improve outcomes. Parents learn valuable strategies […]...
Media Release: Two Feet & A Heartbeat – Raising Awareness and Remembering Heart Angels
Two Feet & A Heartbeat: Raising Awareness and Remembering Heart Angels 17 September 2024 HeartKids’ annual Two Feet & A Heartbeat walk is gearing up to set off on the 12th of October 2024 in over 30 locations, with hundreds of participants already registered to take part and raise awareness of childhood-onset heart disease (CoHD) […]...
Media Release: Champions get their hearts racing in the 2024 HeartKids ‘Race to Remember’
Champions get their hearts racing in the 2024 HeartKids ‘Race to Remember’ 17 September 2024 HeartKids, Australia’s only charity dedicated to supporting families impacted by childhood-onset heart disease (CoHD) is excited to join with professional athlete ambassadors to launch 2024’s ‘Race to Remember’, a pulse-raising activity-based community fundraiser this October. The month-long nationwide event calls […]...
Media Release: Welcome to Hoptober!
HeartKids calls on all young Aussie Hop-Stars to Hop for HeartKids HeartKids, Australia’s only charity dedicated to supporting families impacted by childhood-onset heart disease (CoHD) is rallying all kindy, pre-school and primary school kids to hop into Hoptober and help Aussie heart kids. Hop for Heartkids is the first pre-school and school hopping challenge helping […]...
Meet 2024’s Little Telethon Star -Florence!Â
We’re excited to announce that Florence Shanks, a heart kid from Western Australia, has been chosen as one of the 2024 Little Telethon Stars! This wonderful news was recently featured in The Sunday Times and on Channel 7. Telethon, a major event in WA, will take place on October 19th and 20th, and Florence will […]...
Strong Hearts Strong Mob
2024 will see the development and delivery of initiatives that support and commits HeartKids to being an inclusive workplace, embrace working across diverse cultures nationally, act on true reconciliation and create and maintain strong relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, families and communities. HeartKids is developing its first Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) and […]...
Good luck Hayley Raso | HeartKids Ambassador
Wishing ambassador Hayley Raso the best of luck as she plays for the Matilda’s in the 2024 Paris Olympics! The Matildas will play their first match on July 26 at 3am AEST. They will kick things off versing Germany, who are currently ranked fifth in the world. Their second game will be against Zambia on […]...
The Spencer Family Story | Remembering Nash
Content Warning: This video addresses themes of child illness, surgeries, and loss. In this touching video, the Spencer family honors and remembers their son Nash. They share their journey through surgeries and their eventual loss, supported by the compassionate care and unwavering support of HeartKids....
2025 Perth Gala Ball – Save the Date!
We are delighted to share that the 2024 Gala Ball was an incredible success, with over 700 attendees coming together to support HeartKids. It was an evening filled with generosity and hope. Mark your calendars! Our signature event returns to the Crown Ballroom on Saturday, 24th May 2025. Don’t miss out on what promises to […]...
Brave Anishka | A HeartKid’s Story of Inspiration
At the age of 13, Anishka, who had always been a healthy and cheerful child, began experiencing tiredness and a lack of energy. Despite undergoing medication and iron supplements for over a year, her complaints persisted. In January 2023, a chest X-ray and an MRI confirmed her diagnosis of ASD. In July 2023, Anishka underwent […]...
