I was born with Congenital Heart Disease, and so were both of my daughters. I have endured several heart surgeries throughout my life and continue to receive regular monitoring and testing from my cardiologist. I am a proud HeartKid, and it is for this reason, I was motivated to write and publish a book for HeartKids Australia, where all proceeds from every book sold go directly to the charity.
Congenital Heart Disease is the largest single cause of death for Australian children under the age of one. Eight babies are born in Australia with a heart defect each day, joining the thousands of Australians already impacted by CHD. There is no known prevention or cure.
The Echo book is dedicated to the children, families, and communities affected by congenital heart disease (CHD), and to HeartKids, the only national not-for-profit organisation solely focused on supporting and advocating for all people impacted by childhood heart disease- one of the largest causes of infant death in Australia.
The purpose of HeartKids is to make a real and lasting impact for the CHD community. It has been dedicated to creating a brighter future for affected children and families for more than 30 years. HeartKids helps by providing high-quality support programs in and out of the hospital, raising awareness for CHD, and advocating to those of influence within medicine, science, and government, giving hope for the future by driving world-class research into the cause and treatments of heart defects in children.
I was extremely lucky to have a wonderful friend and colleague volunteer her time and artistic talents to illustrate the Echo book. Anne Farrell is an Artist and Art Teacher who shares my love for working with children and dogs! She has done an amazing job illustrating the book with coloured pencils drawings. The cover Artwork, along with a signed copy of the Echo book, recently went for Auction at the HeartKids Gala Ball.
To help support HeartKids, purchase a copy of Echo!
PURCHASE BOOK HERE
In the hospital garden, a great friendship grew,
Between a stray woolly dog and a boy feeling blue.
Alfie just had heart surgery, his chest was feeling sore,
When a little fluffy dog came and offered him a paw.
What happens between the boy and this fleecy pup,
When it's time for his fur to have a tidy up?
Echo is a sweet and charming story about the importance of friendship, capturing the bond between a boy and a dog with an inspiring message to wear your scars with pride.
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