March 22, 2009
Dec. 16, 2009
May 14, 2009
April 12–23, 2011
View photos of our most recent mission to Tomsk, Siberia
View photos of our most recent mission to Tomsk, Siberia
Sep. 16–Oct. 1, 2011
View photos of our most recent mission to Rostov-on-Don, Russia
View photos of our most recent mission to Rostov-on-Don, Russia
A Global View of
Childhood Heart Disease
Of all human birth defects, a congenital heart defect
is the most common. Every 30 seconds, somewhere in the world, a baby is born
with a heart defect. Unfortunately, more than 85% of the world's children do
not have access to life-saving heart care.
1.3 million children
worldwide are born every year with life-threatening but
highly-treatable heart defects.
Thankfully, in the U.S., over
95% of children
born with heart defects are successfully treated.
Worldwide, not even 15% of children have access
to 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 12,000
children have been saved by pediatric cardiac
specialists at Heart to Heart-sponsored sites.
Every year, at Heart to Heart-sponsored sites, more than
1,500 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, World Heart Foundation
President Emeritus, American Association of Thoracic Surgeons
President Emeritus, American Association of Thoracic Surgeons
Of all human birth defects, a congenital heart defect is the
most common. Every 30 seconds, somewhere in the world, a baby is born with a heart
defect. Unfortunately, more than 85% of the world's children do not have access to
life-saving heart care.
Vision
A child born with a heart defect – anywhere in the world – will have
access to life-saving heart care.
Mission
Twenty-five years ago, Heart to Heart pioneered a model for international
humanitarian aid focused on pediatric cardiac care. Our specialized teams
continue to train hundreds of medical professionals in advanced cardiology,
cardiac surgery, and intensive care. Our education-based approach results
in self-sustaining children's heart centers that give millions of families
access to life-saving heart care.
We are grateful for the support of our long-term
partners, whose trust and generosity have fueled our continued progress.
