Showing love to the HeartKids of Canberra this February
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Lily Haskins’s cardiac arrest at six years old has driven her passion to help others.
Now 17, Lily is working hard to achieve her goal of working with children with a disability. This career aspiration has come about following her time in hospital after suffering a cardiac arrest when she was six.
At that time Lily was diagnosed with a complex form of congenital heart disease (CHD) known as catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT), or heart arrhythmia.
A defibrillator and pacemaker were implanted one month later. Since then, Lily has broken the cable to the heart twice, which required surgery to replace it at ages eight and 10.
Lily in hospital.
She also underwent a full replacement of the internal computer at 13 and now takes beta-blocker medication to control her heart rate and minimise the risk of further cardiac arrests. Lily also minimises any activity that increases her pulse and releases adrenalin to her heart.
Despite Lily’s heart condition and memory loss following the cardiac arrest, she continues to be an incredible and determined young adult. She is the recipient of a ‘Young Canberra Citizen of the Year’ award and was the youngest student at her school to complete a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care.
17-year-old Lily.
In July 2020, Micah Tzafaris was born with a complex form of congenital heart disease (CHD) called Atrioventricular Septal Defect (AVSD).
This condition, where there are holes between the chambers of each side of the heart and the valves controlling blood flow between these chambers has not formed correctly, was diagnosed in utero at 32 weeks.
At seven weeks of age Micah was on medication to manage the symptoms of heart failure due to fluid in his lungs and slow feeding.
Micah in hospital.
Parents Amanda and Jason describe this time as incredibly stressful for their family, with regular medical appointments at their GP and at Canberra hospital leading up to Micah’s surgery at four months old. Their eldest son was unable visit Micah in the hospital due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Now a happy 17-month-old who loves climbing and being in the water, Micah has a strong bond with his big brother who he tries to imitate. He has made an incredible recovery and is already showing signs of having a strong personality with a cheeky sense of humour.
Micah Tzafaris.
“HeartKids provided us with a much-needed opportunity to connect with other families who understood our journey and what was to come,” says Micah’s parents.
“That ability to connect with others and to share with and support each other was a God-send. The HeartKids team has only ever been a message or a phone call away and knowing that we have their support has just been amazing.”
During February, Lily and her family and Micah’s family are encouraging Canberrans to help HeartKids by purchasing a special $5 heart beads bracelet in support for families affected by CHD.
The bracelets symbolise the beads that many of our heart kids receive during hospital stays, with each distinctive bead standing for a specific challenge, procedure, or treatment that children with CHD have endured.
You can purchase a heart beads bracelet for $5 at www.sweetheartday.org.au.
Feature image: Lily Kingston in hospital with her mum.
