HeartKids 

HeartKids is the only national not-for-profit organisation focused on supporting and advocating for children, teens and adults affected by heart disease throughout their life journey. 

They can provide support and information about relevant services that are available to you as well as connection to other families who are living with the realities of heart disease. 

You can call the HeartKids Helpline for more information on 1800 432 785.  

The Heart Beads program below is administered by HeartKids. 

Heart Beads program

On admission to the ward, or attendance to pre-admission clinic, you will be given a brochure about the Heart Beads program and the opportunity to enrol and begin your child’s Heart Beads. 

For each procedure, treatment, good and bad day and other milestones, there is a unique bead which will be given to you to add to the string. This can be a great way to trace your child's hospital journey providing a tool for children and families to be able to talk about the illness and acknowledge their experience. 

You can use the Heart Beads Prescription Sheet to document your child’s journey. The HeartKids volunteers are a great resource to help you set up your child’s Heart Beads.