Heart Institute Support Groups
Sharing the Journey
A family with a child newly diagnosed with heart disease faces many levels of anxiety and stress. In addition, children who grow up with heart disease face significant physical and emotional challenges.
Because we're committed to family-centered care in the Heart Institute at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, we provide support groups tailored specifically for families of children with heart disease. Families are invited to participate in these support groups where parents and children can learn from each other. Support group members sponsor an annual summer picnic, and they are actively involved in other events such as a family retreat weekend and a week-long summer camp for kids with heart conditions.
Hopeful Hearts for Children
Hopeful Hearts for Children is a support group organized by and made up of families of children affected by heart disease, and is designed to help parents feel less alone in coping with their child's illness, as well as to offer a source of hope and comfort, especially during stressful periods.
Meetings are currently held on the even-numbered months, on the first Tuesday evening of the month, at Cincinnati Children's Heart Institute. These informal meetings are designed so that parents can share their concerns, stories and suggestions with each other. If it's inconvenient for a family to attend on-campus meetings, Hopeful Hearts also can match parents with families of children with similar needs or concerns – such as same diagnosis, same age or sex – to provide support over the phone.
Additionally, special events are organized periodically, such as an annual summer picnic and participation in the American Heart Association's annual Heart Mini-Marathon weekend.
There is no fee for Hopeful Hearts for Children membership. Each participant is a parent with different experiences who can help one another through difficult times. For more information, contact Julie Balzano at jbalzano@fuse.net. More information also can be obtained from the Heart Institute team.
Family Retreat Weekend
The Heart Institute Family Retreat Weekend is designed specifically for families of children affected with heart disease. The weekend is full of fun family activities, informational sessions for parents, and sharing with other families who have had similar experiences. Activities are planned throughout the day for all ages. The cost is $50 per family.
Learn more about the Heart Institute Family Retreat Weekend. For more information, call Betsy Adler at 513-636-7257 or email her at betsy.adler@cchmc.org.
Camp Joyful Hearts
Camp Joyful Hearts is a residential summer camp for kids and teens with heart disease. Camp Joyful Hearts offers traditional camping activities such as archery, swimming, fishing and much more. All activities are adapted to each child's abilities. A pediatric cardiologist and cardiac nurses are onsite 24 hours a day.
Children and adolescents with congenital or acquired heart disease ages 8 to 18 may attend. Cost is $25 per camper. Teens with heart disease, ages 16-21, who are interested in volunteering as a camp counselor may contact Camp Joy directly at 800-300-7094 for more information.
Learn more about Camp Joyful Hearts. For more information, call Betsy Adler at 513-636-7257 or email her at betsy.adler@cchmc.org.
