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A Global View of
Childhood Heart Disease
Of all human birth defects, a congenital heart
defect is the most common. Somewhere in the world, every minute of
every day, two babies are born with heart defects.
1.3 million children
worldwide are born every year with life-threatening but
highly-treatable heart defects.
Thankfully, in the US, over
95% of children
born with heart defects are successfully treated.
Worldwide, not even 15% of children have access
to modern heart care that would save their lives.
Thanks to Heart to Heart medical volunteers,
68 million people in the world's largest
country now have access to modern heart care for their children.
More than 8,000
children have been saved by pediatric cardiac
specialists at Heart to Heart-sponsored sites.
Every year, at Heart to Heart-sponsored sites, more than
1,000 children will receive a second chance at life
through the miracle of open-heart surgery.
“
Heart to Heart has become the model
that all other organizations emulate for delivering cardiac
surgery to needy children in the world. Heart to Heart’s efforts
and accomplishments are to be admired and applauded by the
global community.”
James L. Cox, MD
President and CEO, The World Heart Foundation
President and CEO, The World Heart Foundation
Of all human birth defects, congenital heart defects are the
most common. Somewhere in the world, every minute of every day, two babies are born
with a life-threatening but highly-treatable heart defect. Unfortunately, more than
85% of the world's children do not have access to the miracle of modern heart care.
Our Vision
A child born with heart complications anywhere in the world will have access
to compassionate modern heart care.
Our Mission
Heart to Heart medical teams train physicians abroad in advanced cardiology
and cardiac surgery. We apply our seven-year educational model at regional
sites selected to serve enormous populations. Our work culminates in
self-sustaining children's heart centers giving millions of families access
– for the first time – to the miracle of modern heart care.
We are grateful for the support of our long-term
partners, whose trust and generosity have fueled our continued progress.
