Resources for Families
Cardiac Kids Support Group
Cardiac Kids is a support group for the families of children at The Children’s Hospital of Colorado with heart disorders. Members understand the hardship of learning that your child has a serious heart disorder, and how helpful it can be to talk to someone who has been through the same experiences. Cardiac Kids provides one-on-one connections, volunteer hospital visits, information resources and journals to parents and opportunities to meet other parents and children with heart disorders. To request parent support or to get involved in Cardiac Kids, ask your nurse, cardiologist or transplant coordinator for more information on how to contact Cardiac Kids.
Members of Cardiac Kids have developed a resource guide and journal to help you by sharing their experiences, emotions and what was most helpful to them. This book is a must-have for any parent or caregiver who has just received a diagnosis, or for those that have been living with a child’s heart condition for some time. Order the journal or read an excerpt.
The Lindsay May Fund is designed to provide short-term assistance to heart patients and their families. Referrals to the program are made by the medical and nursing staff. The fund may be used for transportation costs, emergency food and lodging expenses and other special needs. The Heart Institute can provide you with more information.
Organizations and Websites
The American Heart Association website is a great resource for parents and includes a special section on Children’s Health. The local Denver affiliate office has a variety of informative booklets on the heart and heart health and also offers educational programs, classes and various fundraising events throughout the year. Contact the local office at 303-369-5433.
This website provides links to other heart websites and information about joining various email support groups.
Little Hearts is a organization that has support groups organized in several states.
This is an excellent website for parents of children born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome.
