What we do
Seventy percent of affected children would die without treatment, and more than 25 percent of these children with heart defects require open-heart surgery. This is why children with heart diseases and their families are at the centre of the KinderHerz Foundation's activities: specialised children's heart centres are necessary to ensure the quality of care for patients according to current medical possibilities.
Paediatric cardiac surgery and cardiology have developed excellently over the last 25 years, especially in Germany. In view of tight budgets, this must also be guaranteed for the coming years. German paediatric heart centres can continue to make an important contribution to the development of innovative medical standards worldwide
The KinderHerz Foundation works closely with almost 20 paediatric heart centres in Germany. Our partners and cooperations extend across Germany and beyond. An important aspect of our work is the networking of experts and medical centres throughout Germany to ensure the transfer and exchange of knowledge.
In this way, the results achieved in specific areas of paediatric cardiology and also in related disciplines will have the greatest impact and lead to the fastest success in helping children all over the world.
We want a world where children with congenital heart defects have the same life expectancy as their healthy friends.
How little Kian manages to survive with half a heart!
Kian has hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). The heart normally consists of two halves, each with its own function. In HLHS patients, one half is either not formed or so underdeveloped that it has virtually no function.
How can Kian, a child with heart disease, survive despite this serious condition?
Thanks to innovative research, Kian is already benefiting from novel treatment methods. But there is still much to be done:
The Kinderherz Foundation has been supporting paediatric cardiology at the University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE) for many years. The UKE is known for its innovative Fontantunnel project, which aims to create a heart chamber from artificially grown living tissue.
One day, it will replace the missing heart chamber and enable young patients like Kian to live as normal a life as possible.
The Biopacer is Carlton's hope for a new future
Carlton is just three months old, but his little body has already been through more than most people go through in a lifetime. He was born with a heart defect and fights bravely for his life every day. He has already survived three operations, but now he needs a pacemaker. The challenge: many of the conventional devices are too big for his small heart. What's more, they will have to be replaced again and again in the future - up to five more operations will be necessary before the little boy is an adult. But there is hope. Thanks to the Biopacer project funded by the Children's Heart Foundation, Carlton's future could look different. A biological cable, made from his own cells, could stabilise his heart and grow with him. This ground-breaking innovation would not only minimise surgery, but also give Carlton a childhood free from the constant fear of further operations. Carlton's story is one of a little fighter.
And with your support, we can turn our hopes into reality - for Carlton and countless other heart children.
You want to do more? We'd be glad to actively support you!
Don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or suggestions. We would also be happy to tell you personally about our "Herzkinder", congenital heart defects and what we are doing to help young patients with heart diseases. Please feel invited to talk to us.
