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) as well as pay tribute to Heart Angels who have lost their lives to the disease.
Held annually since 2014, the Two Feet & A Heartbeat walk is focused on bereaved parents and family members of Heart Angels and provides for a moment of reflection, with 4km representing the four lives lost to CoHD every week, and an additional option of 8km in recognition of the eight babies born every day in Australia with CoHD.
Everyone is encouraged to join in support of the HeartKids community, and to raise awareness of CoHD. There is also opportunity to donate to registered walk participants, with all donations going to improve lives for Australians living with CoHD.
Zoe Corbett, mum to Heart Angel Jaxxon, will be among those walking on the day. Jaxxon was born on the 3rd of January 2022 with a complex heart condition, including a ventricular septal defect, Tetralogy of Fallot and a leaky pulmonary artery. He tragically succumbed to the disease on the 20th of June 2022.
“Throughout my journey, HeartKids provided crucial support, including financial assistance, emotional care and continues to help my family navigate through grief.”
“Jaxxon had such a huge impact on our lives, and we can’t express how grateful we are that we get to meet all the other parents and share the day together.
“Few understand just what it’s like to go through this, but HeartKids have put in so much effort to ensure that we can all come together like this, and that Heart Angels like Jaxxon aren’t forgotten.”
HeartKids CEO Marcus Sandmann says Two Feet & A Heartbeat holds special significance.
“Bereaved families need all the support we can give them, and HeartKids aim to do what we can to ease burdens on families following the tragic loss of a child.
“A huge part of the support provided by our Family Support Coordinators comes after the hospital, where vulnerable families are often feeling lost. Each year, Two Feet & A Heartbeat helps these families to come together to honour the memory of their Heart Angel with those who understand what they’ve been through.”
The 2024 Two Feet & A Heartbeat will be taking place nationwide, Online registrations are open until Wednesday 9th October. HeartKids encourages everyone to take part in the scenic walk, all while contributing to an important cause.
Additional information can be found at https://www.twofeetheartbeat.org.au/
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Media Contacts
GT Communications
Chloe-Jayne Briffa, Advisor
chloe@gtcommunications.com.au | 0431 420 640
About HeartKids
HeartKids is the only national not-for-profit organisation solely focused on supporting and advocating for all people impacted by childhood-onset heart disease (CoHD), one of the largest causes of infant death in Australia.
Our support is a commitment for life because there is no known cure. We seek to give every child, teenager, and adult in Australia living with childhood-onset heart disease and congenital heart disease a fighting chance to live a long, healthy, and fulfilling life.
