Nearly one in 100 babies are born with congenital heart disease, making it the leading birth defect in the world. When treated adequately, 85% of these children are cured, but if left untreated, more than 80% will die or develop
major problems before their first birthday. While the prevalence of heart disease in babies is high, they are far more treatable today than before.
Unfortunately, many families don’t have the financial means to cover the costs (on average, surgery costs $10,000-$15,000).
Active since 2005, the Heartbeat Association in Lebanon has made a significant contribution towards treatment and
awareness of congenital heart disease.
it work with hospitals and patients nationwide to provide surgical technology and expertise available for children suffering heart disease.
So far it has treated 1700 children through donations, which through music concerts and gala dinners attracting nearly 6,000 people each year.
This year for its tenth anniversary, it set out to reach far more people through its nation wide “Heartbeat Box” campaign, featuring its long-time ambassador, the Lebanese mountaineer and explorer Maxime Chaya.
Close to 100,000 boxes were distributed throughout Lebanon in key points, ranging from schools, universities,
LibanPost offices, ABC Malls, Roadster Diner branches to cinemas with requests for donation.
In conjunction, Heartbeat visited fifty schools all over the nation for an awareness campaign educating students on how to diagnose congenital heart disease and the medical treatments available.
The hugely successful “Heartbeat Box” has become the biggest donation campaign of its kind in the country.
We salute the hard work and dedication of Heartbeat.
Thanks to you many more newborns will have the chance that have been collected mainly they deserve…