KAYLEE Stokes is Medowie’s own little superhero, and because of her you may have just seen some extra superheroes around Medowie last week.

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Kaylee is one of a very special bunch of children known as Heart Kids, having been diagnosed with Atrioventricular Septal Defect (AVSD) at just six weeks old.

The organisation ‘HeartKids’ is the only national profit for purpose charity dedicated to supporting children, teens and adults affected by congenital/childhood heart disease all across Australia.

They also fund life-saving research, provide information and advocate for the needs of HeartKids families’.

In Australia, every day eight babies on average are born with heart disease in Australia.

Tragically, in babies under the age of one, heart disease is the leading cause of death.

Last week, in honour of their little buddy Kaylee, some other groups of special children got involved to help raise funds and awareness for children with heart disease.

Kaylee attends Medowie Community Preschool and Kelly’s Cottage family daycare, and both centres put their hand up to get involved in this years ‘HeartKids Super Boss day.

At both centres, students and staff alike dressed as their favourite superhero, donating money to be involved.

For Kelly’s Cottage manager Kelly Berger, this also meant being a great sport and arriving at Wirreanda Public School drop off dressed in her costume to deliver her older students to class.

Money raised from this nationally supported fundraiser makes a real difference in providing support, encouragement and hope to children affected by heart disease.

One program HeartKids runs is the ‘Family Coping Program’, a series of tailored therapy sessions that assist families and help them navigate through their trauma and manage the significant social, emotional and physical well-being challenges associated with childhood heart disease so they can better support their child and each other.

Little Kaylee is due to have open heart surgery in August, so this fundraiser and all it does to support the families of HeartKids, is all that more important this year.

Kaylee’s mother Jacquie Stokes told News Of The Area, “I never knew how many families childhood heart disease affected.”

“Heartkids is an organisation that continues to support those families who are effected, and unfortunately most people don’t even know about Heartkids until they need them.”

“Since finding out about Kaylee’s upcoming surgery the support we’ve received by Heartkids, our family, friends and local community has been overwhelming.”

“We are so grateful to those who’ve not only supported us, but an organisation that is quite literally so close to our hearts,” she said.

Kaylee, News Of The Area wishes you all the very best for your brave journey.

By Rachael VAUGHAN