Media release
Children with heart problems set to benefit from funding
A support programme that each year helps over 5,000 children with heart conditions and their families has received a funding boost from the Sovereign Sunshine programme.
Heart Children New Zealand Fundraising Manager, Iyanthi Wijayanayake, said the funds received from Sovereign Sunshine would be invaluable in helping to extend the reach of the organisation’s Family Support Programme.
“What originally started 24 years ago with a book being written by two mothers to help parents of children with heart disease, has grown to become a nationwide organisation providing much needed care and vital support to families,” Iyanthi said.
“Childhood heart disease impacts over 600 new families each year - that’s 12 newborns every week. It’s important that families aren’t left to deal with the stress and trauma that they have to face in isolation, which is where our Family Support Programme comes in.”
The Programme which is available through Heart Children New Zealand’s 23 branches provides assistance and support to parents every step of the way.
“Families faced with the traumatic news of their child’s life-threatening condition can turn to Heart Children’s family support workers for help and understanding, counselling, psychological support, information, education, practical assistance and access to specialist equipment.”
Iyanthi said there is only one hospital that takes care of children born with a heart condition – Auckland’s Heart Unit based at Starship Hospital.
“Every family must travel to Starship Hospital, in order to access specialised medical care.
“As a result, families are forced to travel away from home and in doing so leave behind family and support networks that are so critical at a time like this. Emotions and thoughts can all too often overwhelm parents that’s why we’re here to help them get through the tough times,” Iyanthi said.
Carlene Little knows first hand the valuable contribution the Family Support Programme makes to parents grappling with heart disease in their children.
She has a seven and a half year old son who has a congenital heart condition and said access to the Family Support Programme has made a ‘world of difference’ to their family.
“So far, my son has undergone three open heart surgeries and numerous heart maintenance operations. While you might have all the medical help you need at the hospital often all you want is the opportunity to simply sit down and talk with somebody who really understands what you’re going through – this is where the Family Support Programme plays such a vital role.
“Sometimes it can be the simple things that they do that make such a huge difference. A good example is the Heart Children Van which picks up heart children and their families three times a week and takes them away from hospital and all its stresses, to the zoo and out shopping. While staying at the hospital, parents are also offered mobile phones and beepers so that they can leave their child’s side knowing that they can be easily contacted.”
Carlene said the support offered by the Programme doesn’t stop once the child has left hospital.
“They continue to provide all manner of assistance to make life easier such as equipment and services including state-of-the-art blood testing machines for use in the home and camps for kids.”
She said Heart Children New Zealand can also help families find valuable support and friendship by linking them up with other parents in similar situations via its Network Matches service.
“Just speaking to someone who is experiencing the same stresses and problems can be reassuring and comforting.”
The Sovereign Sunshine programme which has provided funding to Heart Children to support the National Family Support Programme helps under-resourced New Zealand children’s charities.
Each month, the initiative focuses on a different charity group with members of the public deciding via online voting which charity receives funding. Sovereign staff also play their part by helping to raise funds for the different charities.
Sovereign Head of Marketing and Product Management, Vena Crawley, said Sovereign’s staff enjoy raising funds for the different charities each month.
“We all enjoy the opportunity of working together with the New Zealand public to make the future brighter for as many young New Zealanders as possible. Sovereign is committed to making a difference and invites other New Zealanders to join us by voting online for their favourite charity each month.”
To find out more about the programme or to vote for a charity go to www.sovereignsunshine.co.nz.
For further information:
Heart Children NZ
Iyanthi Wijayanayake
Fundraising Manager
P: 09 377 950 ext. 805
M: 027 600 3506
OR
Christine Meads
P: 09 525 0060
M: 027 294 0823
About Heart Children New Zealand
- Heart Children New Zealand was established in 1984
- It is the only organisation dedicated to helping and supporting children affected with heart disease.
- Twelve babies are born every week in New Zealand with a heart defect.
- Nine children have open heart surgery in New Zealand every week
- Congenital heart defects are the most common serious birth abnormalities requiring medical intervention in New Zealand.
- 70% of all heart surgery involves stopping a child’s heart.
- On average, heart surgery takes 290 minutes or 17,400 seconds.
- 30 – 40 children will lose their battle with heart disease each year.
For more information go to www.heartchildren.org.nz.
12 November 2008
