HeartKids in Australia

Kiwanis Australia to Assist the Menzies School of Health Research

For the next two years, the Kiwanis clubs of Australia will be involved in an exciting and far-reaching project “Project Gecho” which will improve dramatically the health of a large number of Indigenous children and will almost certainly result in improvements (both locally and internationally) in the detection and treatment of heart problems caused by rheumatic fever.

Gecho is an acronym for "Getting Every Child's Heart OK".

The project was identified following discussions with the CEO of HeartKids Australia, Neil McWhannell, and Dr. Gavin Wheaton of the Cardiology Department at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Adelaide.

Background

Rheumatic fever is a disease which was prevalent many years ago. However, with better treatment options and better hygiene, the disease is now one which plagues the poorest segments of the community and, in particular, those in remote locations. It is a major problem in our Indigenous population, and a massive problem globally. A simple streptococcal infection (sometimes without symptoms) can set up an inflammatory reaction which affects the valves of the heart and can lead to a lifetime of serious heart problems.

Early detection and treatment with penicillin injections is the aim. Children with the disease require regular penicillin injections into early adult life and those with more serious valve problems require treatment well into adult life.

Project “Gecho”

Professor Jonathan Carapetis, Director, Menzies School of Health Research in Darwin, is a paediatrician and infectious diseases specialist. He is leading a study involving the screening of 5,000 children between 5 and 15 years of age over a period of around two years. It is intended to screen 4,000 children living in remote Aboriginal communities of the NT, WA and Qld, and an additional 1,000 middle class children living in Darwin, Broome and Cairns (the latter group is included so that the “normal range” can be determined).

The screening will involve the use of an echocardiogram machine (these have been available in portable form for only 6 or 7 years). This method (effectively ultra-sound for the heart) provides a very effective way of identifying heart valve problems. In addition, the NT children will have their hearts listened to, to determine if this could be a useful first step in screening.

All children who are detected as having a problem (it is expected that 80 to 160 previously unknown cases of rheumatic heart disease will be discovered) will be entered immediately onto the RHD register and will receive treatment straight away, including surgery, where necessary.

The study will not only enable children to begin treatment but will probably result in findings which will be published at the highest level in medical journals. At the conclusion of the project, the research team will know clearly the burden of previously undiagnosed RHD in Indigenous children and will be able to make sound recommendations to Government and service providers about cost-effective approaches to screening for this disease.

The Role of Kiwanis

There are three specific areas where funding is needed. The first is the acquisition of an echocardiogram machine, the second is the funding of an “echo technician” and the third is the funding of a project coordinator. We have decided to fund the project coordinator. Funding for the echo machine and the technician will be met by The Children's First Foundation, Cabrini Hospital, and some government funds.

According to Professor Carapetis, the coordinator’s role is “absolutely essential.” That is, the project could not proceed without a coordinator. He is hoping to employ an Indigenous person in the role (based in Alice Springs). This person will do everything from liaising, organising screening visits, entering data, and probably listening to children's hearts. Professor Carapetis is “delighted” that he has the support of Kiwanis and is now relying on our funding.

We have agreed to supply $25,000 for each of the next two years. This is an eminently manageable amount for our District, given that we have raised an average of $45,000 for HeartKids in each of the last two years. If we raise more than the $25,000 committed (and, hopefully, we will) we will look at disbursing the additional funds in the most effective manner. It might mean that we could fund the coordinator for a full week rather than part of a week, … but let’s not cross that bridge until we see how much we have to contribute!

Commencement

Preparations for the project are in the final stages and screening is expected to commence in June.

What Should Clubs Do?

Clubs are encouraged to hold one or two fundraising events specifically for HeartKids (i.e. Project Gecho) each year and to forward their contribution to the Kiwanis Australia District Charitable Trust. We will hand over our contribution for the first year at our annual District Convention in Adelaide in August. The cheque will be handed to HeartKids, as usual, but specifically earmarked for Project Gecho.

In addition to our financial support of Project Gecho, clubs are encouraged to support their local State HeartKids Organizations. Some clubs are already heavily involved with HeartKids but those which are not may wish to find out what opportunities are available by contacting their local State HeartKids Coordinator.

The relevant contacts are:

NSW:	Kathryn Meekings	Ph 0406 424 511
	Email: kathryn.meekings@heartkids.org.au
VIC:	Tracy Stanley	Ph 0417 569 733
	Email: tstanley@heartkids.org.au
QLD:	Janis Pratt	Ph 0418 746 103
	Email: eventsmanager@heartkidsqld.org
WA:	Fran Maunton	Ph 0409 290 504
	Email fran.maunton@heartkids.org.au
SA:	Kerry Southwell	Ph 0420 363 155
	Email: kerry.southwell@heartkids.org.au

In Conclusion

I wish to thank the clubs which have already enthusiastically embraced this great project and which have already pledged a certain dollar amount for each of the next two years; I look forward to liaising with Professor Carapetis and keeping clubs informed of the progress of “Gecho.”

The involvement of Kiwanis, particularly our “ownership” of an essential element of the project, is something of which all members should be proud. It provides an opportunity for us to dramatically improve the quality of life of some of our most deprived children and to be instrumental in acquiring knowledge which will assist children worldwide.

Regards to all and keep up the great work.

Phil Riggio
"Heartkids" Chairperson
Mobile 0417 342 860
philriggio@ozemail.com.au
PO Box 326 Brighton Vic 3186

$40,000 raised for HeartKids in 2007

At the Friday Night formal dinner of 39th Annual Convention of the Australian District held in Shepparton Victoria, District Chairman for Heartkids, Ted Kitto announced that $40,000 had been raised by Clubs during 2006-07 Kiwanis Year for Heatkids.

Receiving the $40,000 cheque on behalf of Heartkids Australia from Ted Kitto is Shepparton "Heatkid" Jayden Alexander observed by his mother Cheryl.

Congratulations and thank you to all Clubs and Members that participated in this National Project.

Kiwanis HeartKids Week

Monday May 7 to Sunday May 13, 2007

Maddison is one of 2000 children born with heart defects in Australia each year. Kiwanis International Australia District are raising funds for HeartKids and heart research to find out why these defects occur.

The aim of HeartKids Week is to develop general public awareness of Congenital Heart Disease or Acquired Heart Disease in children. They receive no government grants or any other special appeals for research. HeartKids Week provides a means to inform the general public of the work and dedication that Kiwanis has achieved for these children.

Governor Geoff, through the Board of Trustees has set a target of $60,000 this year and sincerely hopes we can achieve this amount in time for the 2007 District Convention.

Types of activities that Clubs can participate in are Raffles, Film day, Picnic day, window displays in shops, B.B.Q.s, HeartKids collection tins in shops, pubs clubs, sell HeartKids merchandise, Trivia Night, etc.

Collection tins and merchandise can be obtained from your State HeartKids Organisation and the monies from these sales must go to your state organisation. The others can go to Research or your State.

Click on Maddison's photo above or click here to download the HeartKids Week promotional poster to use with your Club's activities.

The date chosen for Kiwanis HeartKids Week is Monday May 7 to Sunday May 13, with May 13 being Mothers Day.

TV commercials produced by "synergy advertising" promoting Kiwanis HeartKids Week are being broadcast by network stations during the promotion period. To view a Windows Media (.wmv) version of these commercial click here.

Click here for an Urgent message from Ted Kitto, District Chairman - HeartKids

$50,000 raised for HeartKids in 2006

Congratulations and thanks to those clubs that supported the HeartKids Research appeal last year and to those clubs who couldn't help last year, thank you for trying and maybe you can do something this year.

The final amount raised was $50,000 and a cheque for this was presented at the 2006 Annual District Convention held in Newcastle in August 2006 to Dr. J. Sandford who is a member of the Cardiac Research Team.

Many clubs didn't just donate to the Research appeal they also donated to their State HeartKids Organisations too. Other clubs just made donations and supplied manual hours to their State Organisations. They are also acknowledged.

National Project for HeartKids

Kiwanis Australia District has adopted a National Project to raise funds for Heart Kids Research. Our goal is to raise $60,000 with each club contributing just over $1,000. Some clubs have already given more than this amount.

It is intended to present a cheque for the total amount received to a “Heartkids” representative at the Convention in Newcastle in August 2006. Kiwanis Clubs throughout the District will carry out special projects to help us achieve this goal.

The funds will be going to the Australia/New Zealand Children’s Heart Research Centre. This organization is made up of top Children’s Cardiac Surgeons from each State, and the Murdoch Research Institute. The objective of this organization is to investigate and find out the causes as to why so many children are born with congenital heart disease and also why so many acquire the disease.

Contact for HeartKids in your State
HeartKids in Australia is there to help make a difference in the life of child with heart conditions. You can find more information on HeartKids by clicking on your State links listed below:
HeartKids Australia HeartKids of Victoria HeartKids of New South Wales HeartKids of Queensland HeartKids of South Australia HeartKids of Western Australia HeartKids of Northern Territory:
HeartKids NT PO Box 848 Palmerston NT 0830 HeartKids of Australian Capital Territory:
HeartKids ACT Inc c/- NHF ACT Division PO Box 220 Deakin West ACT 2600

Updated: May 31, 2008
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