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
What We Do
HeartKids is the only Australian charity dedicated to providing lifelong support, resources, and advocacy for the 250,000 people impacted by childhood-onset heart disease (CoHD). We provide connection and care informed by lived-experience to ensure no one faces this journey alone.
Our Support
CoHD is a lifelong journey, and so is HeartKids’ support. Our teams, many with lived experience, offer emotional and practical care, tailored to milestones like diagnosis, schooling, and adulthood, ensuring families and individuals receive expert guidance at every stage.
Our Impact
For over 40 years, HeartKids has provided much-needed quality services, support and solutions to more than 250,000 Australian children, teenagers and adults impacted 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.
Get Your Work Involved
Discover how to get your workplace involved in transforming the lives of those living with CoHD today.
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.
Latest News and Stories
A Heart Mum’s Journey & the Netball HeartKids Cup
This March, the HeartKids Cup served as the official pre-season competition for Netball NSW’s 2025 Premier League. Held over March 1st and 2nd at Sydney Olympic Park’s Netball Central, the event brought together all 10 Netball NSW Premier League franchises, elite athletes, passionate supporters, and a Celebrity Charity Match featuring some of the biggest names […]...
Media release: Heart Support Australia & HeartKids
Heart Support Australia & HeartKids join together in a strategic partnership to strengthen patient and carer support across all ages for those impacted by cardiovascular disease. Heart Support Australia and HeartKids have joined forces to ensure that all Australians and their families who are impacted by CVD have access to support and education resources across […]...
SA leads the way in heartfelt care
Release date: 14/02/25 A South Australian pilot program for families impacted by childhood-onset heart disease (CoHD) is expanding across the nation as an online program in partnership with children’s heart charity, HeartKids. Thanks to a $1 million investment from Malinauskas Labor Government – the first of its kind in Australia – HeartKids has been able […]...
Netball NSW Partners with HeartKids for Premier League Pre-Season
HeartKids is delighted to partner with Netball NSW to officially announce the HeartKids Cup as the official pre-season competition for the organisation’s 2025 Premier League. The event will see all 10 Netball NSW Premier League franchises competing for the HeartKids Cup at Sydney Olympic Park’s Netball Central from Saturday to Sunday, 1-2 March. As well […]...
