Some children are born knowing the sound of hospital monitors before they know the sound of their mother’s own voice. Some children learn medical words before they learn how to spell their own name.
On Friday, 20 February, our school community came together to raise funds for HeartKids through our Sweetheart Day. With a bake sale, raffles and a gift stall, students proudly wore their sports uniforms and accessorised in red, pink and blue in support of this important cause.
Every three hours, a child is born with Congenital Heart Disease, or CHD. That is eight babies every day, almost 3,000 lives each year. Every week, four of those lives are lost to CHD.
We were proud to host Sweetheart Day in support of HeartKids, a national charity dedicated to supporting children and families affected by Childhood Onset Heart Disease. This condition impacts thousands of Australian children from birth, many of whom face ongoing medical treatment, multiple surgeries and extended hospital stays. HeartKids provides vital support services, resources and advocacy, walking alongside families through challenges most of us will never experience.
For me, this fundraiser is deeply personal.
I was born with a congenital heart defect, an ASD, a hole in my heart. Others I know were born with VSDs, and some with more complex conditions that meant their hearts were formed differently. We all share Congenital Heart Disease, a condition that means our hearts work differently. My defect was small and did not require open heart surgery, a reminder that CHD looks different for everyone.
My older sister, Janelle, was also born with CHD. Her condition was more severe. Through HeartKids, she formed close friendships and, over time, heartbreakingly lost some of them.
I watched her grieve.
I watched her grow.
HeartKids supported her through that journey. They supported me as well. Through them, we found a community where being a HeartKid never needs explaining.
Being a HeartKid is not just about the heart. It is about hospital waiting rooms, lifelong friendships, resilience, and a kind of grief no child should ever have to carry, like losing your best friend at fourteen.
We are incredibly proud to share that the PCACS community raised an outstanding $3,502.62 for HeartKids. Every gold coin, every purchase and every act of generosity helps ensure that no child, no family and no sibling has to face this journey alone.
Thank you to everyone for your compassion, generosity and support of those living with CoHD and CHD.
Libby and Sweetheart Day Committee