Wear your heart on your sleeve

KILLALOO lad Mark Cairns, aged 8, is asking people in Londonderry to wear their hearts on their sleeves for children with heart disease.

Mark is supporting local charity, the Children's Heartbeat Trust, which has launched three exciting new projects which will provide increased support for children with heart disease in Northern Ireland and their families.

Mark has received treatment for a serious heart disorder and wants people to help other children in Northern Ireland with similar problems.

A first 'Wear your heart on your sleeve' charity day on June 11, 2010 aims to raise awareness of the impact and consequences of heart disease in children and young people in Northern Ireland.

Also, with a new website at www.childrensheartbeattrust.org, the Children's Heartbeat Trust provides an interactive resource complete with easily accessible and accurate information for those affected by heart disease in children.

Children's Heartbeat Trust also announced the funding of a new Research Fellowship in partnership with Clark Clinic at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children.

Dr Brian Craig (Consultant Paediatric Cardiologist, Clark Clinic) commented: "The funding of this research project is invaluable as it enables the continued development of our paediatric cardiac service and places Clark Clinic at the leading edge of care and treatment for children with heart disease."

Sarah Quinlan, Executive Officer with Children's Heartbeat Trust, said: "Over 200 children each year are born with a heart problem in Northern Ireland, of which over a third will require further investigation or surgery.

"Our new website will provide relevant and important information for families of children with heart problems, and an opportunity to access our family and parental support services at what can be a very stressful and daunting time."

She added, "On Friday 11 June we are asking the Northern Irish public to buy a heart pin badge and 'Wear your heart on your sleeve', helping us to increase awareness of heart disease in children and raise funds to provide the best possible care and treatment for these children."

If you would like to be involved, or would like further information about the work of the Children's Heartbeat Trust please contact 07584 164 815, email [email protected] or visit www.childrensheartbeattrust.org.

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