Sep. 16–Oct. 1, 2011
View photos of our most recent mission to Rostov-on-Don, Russia
Mar. 30–Apr. 6, 2012
View photos of our final team mission to Tomsk, Siberia
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,
63 million people in the world's largest
country now have access to modern heart care for their children.
More than 15,000
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 open heart surgery.
Heart to Heart founder Dr. Nilas Young receives prestigious award
The gift of life is the greatest gift we can offer to a child.
Dr. Young has given that gift not once or twice but thousands of times. He saw a problem of vast
proportions and attacked with all the discipline he could muster. The results are now self-evident.
How blessed are these children and how blessed are we for Dr. Young's dedication and skill.
Harry Leibowitz, PhD
World of Children Award
Co-Founder & Board Co-Chair
Co-Founder & Board Co-Chair
New York, October 25, 2012: Surprise guest Masha Senotova, Heart to Heart's first patient, traveled from St. Petersburg, Russia to present Dr. Young's World of Children Health Award.
The January 2013 issue of the University of California newsletter featured an article on Dr. Nilas Young and Heart to Heart. To read more about our story and our life-saving work in Russia click here.
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.


