Little Hearts, an initiative of Stella Bella Little Stars Foundation, is a program designed to support families of children with congenital/childhood heart disease and to help bring the CHD community together. 

Canberra mum Melissa Clode, whose son Charlie was born with a complex heart condition, helped establish the program.

In his short life, two-year-old Charlie has survived six heart surgeries, two strokes, multiple other procedures and experienced more medical intervention than most adults will in their lifetime.  

“We are truly grateful to the massive medical team behind Charlie, as well as the support of a large network of family and friends who have been able to help us through tough times,” Mrs Clode said.

“Before I had Charlie, I had no idea that there was such a big community of families with children like Charlie living their life from a hospital ward, and that sometimes just getting through a day seems like a miracle.”

Mrs Clode said living more than three hours away from the Children’s Hospital means the Edgar Stephens heart ward at Westmead has become the family’s home away from home.

Charlie has spent about half of his life in hospital, but the supportive community around the family has made the road a little easier.

“I’ve been very lucky to have the advice and support of other parents that are further ahead in their journey as well,” Mrs Clode said.

She said the support from Suzanne Tunks, founder of Stella Bella Little Stars Foundation, has been incredible.

“The support that she offers families is what we really need here for children with severe CHD at the Children’s Hospital at Westmead and that’s why we’ve got together to launch Little Hearts,” Mrs Clode said.

The Little Hearts program will aim to provide essential relief to families in need during long hospital stays through food vouchers, petrol vouchers and financial support, while also building a community for children with CHD and their families, to talk and support each other through tough times.

Each year, more than 4500 babies, children and young people with CHD, like Charlie, are treated by the Children’s Hospital at Westmead.