General News
15 June, 2022
Superheros needed to raise vital funds
THEY say not all heroes wear capes, but the community has been invited to unleash their inner superhero this Friday in support of the Heroes for HeartKids fundraising initiative.
THEY say not all heroes wear capes, but the community has been invited to unleash their inner superhero this Friday in support of the Heroes for HeartKids fundraising initiative.
The Heroes for HeartKids initiative invites schools, workplaces and the broader community to raise funds in support of children and families impacted by Congenital Heart Defect (CHD).
The pain of a CHD diagnosis is known all-too-well by Terang’s Wayne and Jo Crawley.
Eighteen hours after their son Ben was born prematurely at 35 weeks old, he was diagnosed with a severe form of congenital heart disease known as Transposition of the Great Arteries (TGA).
“It was very unexpected because we hadno idea he had a heart condition,” MsCrawley said.
“He was blue when he was born and his oxygen levels wouldn’t come up, so he was transferred to the Royal Children’s Hospital that night."
“There was no room for Wayne and I on the plane, so we drove to Melbourne the next day and by the time we got there he had been diagnosed with TGA.”
Less than three weeks after he was born, Ben underwent critical open heart surgery, in which an arterial switch operation was performed to restore blood flow through the heart.
Ben spent the first month of his life at the Royal Children’s Hospital, under the watchful eye of his family who remained close-by at Ronald McDonald House.
Today, Ben is not only an easy-going 13 year-old teenager.
He is accomplished in school athletics, loves basketball and this year took up AFL umpiring.
His heart defect has not held him back and he enjoys the same opportunities as other children, including his two siblings Paddy and Claire.
The only difference is he requires a check-up at Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne every two years.
After Ben was born, his family was supported by HeartKids, who provided ongoing support to help them through their experience.
“HeartKids is a great organisation and provides invaluable support to families impacted by CHD by bringing families like ours together,” Ms Crawley said.
“They also support CHD children as they get older by providing them with new experiences and opportunities."
“They offer counselling services, offer morning teas for catch-ups because you’re all in the same boat together, and always have people there to answer any questions and point you in the right direction."
“They are just a well of informationand help.”
The Crawley family has encouraged locals to show support for kids living with childhood heart disease this Friday (June 17) for the Hero for HeartKids initiative.
“Any help is just so greatly appreciated,”she said.
“There is so many different kinds of problems kids born with a CHD can go through, and having the support base there from other parents is incredible."
“I’m one of the lucky ones – Ben is going great – but there are families out there who struggle every day for their kids to be able to live their lives."
“We are really fortunate to have HeartKids in our lives.”
To be a Hero for HeartKids, superheroes are encouraged to create a fundraising page for their colleagues, friends, family, and community to show support.
Any superheroes wanting to join the fight can visit www.hero4heartkids.org.au, where you can register a fundraiser or donate directly.
