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20 AWARENESS SPOTLIGHT FROM PAGE 19 appointments arranged. In most states, only one parent was able to be in the hospital with their child, and the stress and anxiety within the community were, and remain, immense, as they’re classified as high-risk people. From a HeartKids organisation perspective, Covid-19 impacted how our support teams could help families, as they were suddenly no longer able to attend hospitals or hold family support events, meaning we had to quickly pivot our services to virtual forms. Our fundraising events and campaigns also took a hit as community fundraising and HeartKids-run events were cancelled or had to go onto a virtual platform, which didn’t have the same impact. However, despite the challenges, HeartKids was able to adapt quickly and be there in other ways to support everyone. Tell us about Sweetheart Day. Now in its sixth year, Sweetheart Day is our flagship campaign with the primary aim of raising much needed awareness of CHD. The campaign is focused on Valentine’s Day (14 February) or for our community, International Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Day. This day is important to showcase all the brave- heart warriors that live with the impact of this disease every day, and let the broader population know about the extent of how CHD impacts families and that the high standard of medical intervention we have in Australia is only part of the care that’s needed. How can people get involved in supporting the organisation, and with Sweetheart Day? As demand for CHD support services grows, HeartKids is hoping to expand its services for families by continuing its 1800 helpline, parent education programs, family financial assistance, and in-hospital support initiatives, which include its unique Heart Beads program. HeartKids’ goal in 2021 is to increase access to our support services and programs across Australia, with a particular focus on those living in isolated communities. People can help us achieve these goals by joining in this Sweetheart Day by: • Promoting and hosting an event with friends, family, colleagues, or even classmates, on Friday 12 February or on the day, Sunday 14 February, and have a fun-filled day getting together, sharing a cuppa and cakes, or even playing games. Check out our fundraising tips and ideas to help you make your event memorable. • Showing your support by getting your family, friends and colleagues to sponsor your event by donating whatever they can. • Joining in one of our organised events in your state/territory. • Promoting and selling our new HeartKids bracelets to your colleagues, at your place of work, at school or at your event. • Bringing Valentine’s Day themed cakes and sweets to share with your friends for a gold coin donation. • Asking your child’s school to provide a gold-coin donation drive and form a heart with the coins. • Or simply donating at: sweetheartday.org.au/campaign/ donate/1/sweetheart-day. How can pharmacy assistants spread the word about HeartKids to the communities that they work with? Pharmacy assistants can help by telling those families they know of that have been diagnosed with CHD about HeartKids and directing them to our site, heartkids.org.au. They can also provide or display a brochure in the pharmacy that can be given out (to order, email office@heartkids.org.au). Pharmacy assistants can also sell the HeartKids bracelets, which give them a starting point to have a conversation about what HeartKids does. They only have to pay for postage, then deposit the funds into our account. To order these, visit: sweetheartday.org.au/ store/products/1/heartkids-bracelet. RETAIL PHARMACY ASSISTANTS • FEB 2021