HeartKids and Heartbeat of Football Foundation (HoF) have announced a new partnership to support Australians living with heart disease - particularly teens, adults and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

HeartKids is Australia’s only not-for-profit organisation focused on supporting children, teens, and adults with childhood-onset heart disease (CoHD), including both congenital and childhood-acquired conditions.

Heartbeat of Football works to reduce cardiac incidents through education, community screenings, and support across sporting environments.

This collaboration bridges two critical areas of heart health: HeartKids’ lifelong support for people with childhood-onset heart disease (CoHD), and Heartbeat of Football’s expertise in prevention, education, and screening across community sporting environments.

Together, they are committed to increasing early detection and empowering individuals with the knowledge and tools to better manage heart conditions—whether congenital, acquired, or lifestyle-related.

HeartKids Chief Executive Officer Marcus Sandmann said that with a shared emphasis on awareness and accessibility, sporting clubs provide an excellent avenue to inform young people, teens, and adults about heart health, the transition of care in adolescence, and the importance of early intervention—especially in communities impacted by RHD.

“This collaboration strengthens our commitment to delivering heart health directly to where Australians come together—on local sports fields, at community events, and within their clubs,” Mr Sandmann said.

“By joining forces with HeartKids, we’re expanding our reach to ensure that every Australian—regardless of age, background, or postcode—has access to vital heart health education, checks, and support.”

This partnership will see both organisations work together to:

· Expanding awareness of heart health among teens and adults involved in local sporting codes

· Increasing accessibility to HeartKids’ services through Heart of Football sporting club screening events, increasing education and support to teens and adults with heart defects.

· Delivering heart health checks, CPR and defibrillator training, and free screening programs at grassroots and community levels

· Sharing information and referral pathways for teens and families transitioning from paediatric to adult heart care

· Raising awareness of Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) and its prevention, especially in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities

· Developing joint education campaigns to promote lifelong heart health and reduce preventable cardiac incidents

Combining HeartKids’ experience supporting people impacted by CoHD and HoF’s role in community and sports settings, the partnership will help improve access to information and practical support for more people.

Founder and CEO of Heartbeat of Football Foundation Andy Paschalidis said both organisations are committed to ensuring people impacted by heart disease can access timely support, practical tools, and clear information throughout their lives.

“By integrating with sporting codes and events, HeartKids and HoF are creating a powerful platform for change,” Mr Paschalidis concluded.

For more information on HeartKids, visit: https://www.heartkids.org.au/ or Heartbeat of Football at https://heartbeatoffootball.com.au/.

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Sunday, 10th September 2023

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