Heart for the kids- Top right: Justine Franklin with son Thomas and daughters Emily and Jessica at their Narre Warren South home. 76477 Picture: Meagan Rogers

By Lia Bichel
A NARRE Warren South family has told of the invaluable support they receive from a national charity while their son battles a heart disease.
Anthony and Justine Franklin said HeartKids provided a wealth of information and support after they discovered three years ago their infant son had heart problems.
Thomas, now aged 3, suffers from TGA – transposition of the great arteries (TGA) and Coarctation, a congenital condition where the aorta narrows in the area where the ductus arteriosus inserts.
Mrs Franklin said she and her husband were told something was not right with her son’s heart when she was 20 week’s pregnant, but did not realise the full extent of his health problems until he was born.
“Once I had Thomas, we stayed at Monash Hospital for three days before moving to the Children’s Hospital. Within three hours of us arriving, I was introduced to the support manager, Tracy, who was the biggest help,” Mrs Franklin said.
Thomas had to have a surgery, which left him with a large “zipper” scar from the top of his chest to his belly button.
Mrs Franklin said there was a point they thought they could lose their son, but were able to turn to other families from HeartKids for support.
“Without having that support in the hospital, we wouldn’t know where to turn.,” Mrs Franklin said.
“HeartKids provides a great shoulder to cry on, people we could laugh with and an endless amount of resources. They are invaluable to people and families going through the same thing. I think they are amazing.”
February is the national HeartKids month. Heart Disease is the greatest killer of children under the age of five. More than four children die each week as a result of heart disease.
HeartKids ambassador and footy great Glenn Archer urged Victorians to support children and families struggling with Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) in February by making a donation at a retail food group store.
The Retail Food Group will promote HeartKids Combo’s throughout the month of February. Michele’s Patisserie will offer a heart-shaped lamington and coffee; Donut King will offer heart-shaped donuts, while Brumby’s will offer special Gingerbread Men. A percentage of all sales from these combos will be donated to HeartKids.