Matt Hewson
Annual charity walk Two Feet & A Heartbeat returns to the Geelong region this month, with a 4km walk in Torquay.
The event is run by HeartKids, Australia’s only charity supporting Australians impacted by congenital heart disease, paying tribute to lives lost to the disease and the eight babies born with the condition each day.
Geelong HeartKids ambassador Ella was diagnosed with heart defects during a 20 week morphology scan, which were later confirmed to be pulmonary atresia, ventricular septal defect and major aortopulmonary collateral arteries.
Ella’s mother Monique Borch said it was difficult having her child whisked away just minutes after she was born.
“They had laid it all out on the table, but when she was born I actually got to hold her for about a minute, which I didn’t expect,” Ms Borch said.
“So I got to have a cuddle and then very quickly transported upstairs to get ready to be taken to the Children’s Hospital.
“It was really hard. I went up there and visited her just before she left, but being in a completely different place to your newborn baby, that’s not a very nice feeling at all.”
Ms Borch described the support of HeartKids staff during that period as her “saving grace”.
“Their emotional support has been so incredible,” she said.
“It’s so hard when you’re going through something like this, it can be so lonely. So to have this foundation that solely supports heart kids and families… I just couldn’t have done it without it.”
Ella was one of the lucky ones. Despite constant illness, medical appointments and surgeries, Ms Borch said Ella was “really good… very much okay”.
But any other babies and children are not so fortunate, with four lives lost to congenital heart disease every week.
HeartKids chief executive Marcus Sandmann said bereaved families needed all the support they could get.
“HeartKids’ mission is to do what we can to ease the burden on families following the tragic loss of a child,” Mr Sandmann said.
“A huge part of the support our family support coordinators provide comes after hospital, when mourning and vulnerable families are often feeling lost.
“Two Feet & A Heartbeat is a moment for those families to come together and honour the memory of their Heart Angel with people who understand what they have been through.
“We thank the incredible community in Geelong for their precious and continued involvement and solidarity over the years and hope to bring more impacted families the support and comfort they need.”
Two Feet & A Heartbeat Geelong will take place at the Elephant Walk in Torquay at 10.15am on Sunday, October 27, and will feature market stalls, face painting, farm animals and entertainment.
Visit twofeetheartbeat.org.au/geelong for more information on Two Feet & A Heartbeat Geelong.
