Children's Heart Surgery Fund

Children’s Heart Surgery Fund Bio

Children’s Heart Surgery Fund (CHSF) is a self-funded, regional charity established in 1988 by heart surgeon Duncan Walker, due to his frustrations at the lack of funding within his specialty. We support the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit based in Leeds Children’s Hospital, its patients, and their families. The Leeds Congenital Heart Unit is the only specialist centre for congenital heart disease in the region. It is a vital resource for the 5.6 million inhabitants of Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire who are treated at a network of 18 hospitals. 

Each year around 17,000 babies, children and adults pass through the Heart Unit. They are treated as inpatients in Leeds, with around 1,600 undergoing surgery and interventional procedures, and as outpatients in Leeds and at clinics across the region. CHSF is the only charity in this region that supports babies, children, teens and adults with congenital heart disease, from the womb through to adulthood. We have helped fund care and treatment for patients and their families across our region for over three decades.

What is Congenital Heart Disease (CHD)?

CHD ​is a heart condition or defect that develops in the womb before a baby is born. It is the most common significant birth defect and cause of infant mortality.

CHD ​affects almost 1% (8 in 1,000) of new-born babies in the UK each year. Around 60% of these babies will have significant heart defects which are likely to require surgery or interventional procedures in early infancy. As these procedures aren't considered to be a cure, the majority of patients will need lifelong care. Some will need multiple procedures, as their condition is incurable.

Thanks to improvements in research, treatment and clinical care, 90-95% of infants will now survive to adulthood. There are now more adults with congenital heart disease than children. As survival through childhood improves, the number of adults with the disease will continue to increase.

CHSF’s ​Aim and Mission

Their aim is to support hearts for life, striving to ensure that people with congenital heart disease have the best health outcomes and quality of life. Their mission is to support the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit as a world-class centre of excellence. They also provide funding to care for a patient’s:

Heart - providing state-of-the-art medical equipment and funding training for the employees in the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit.

Mind - creating a restful environment on the wards and funding distraction equipment. 

Family – providing expenses and accommodation for families in need, and the support of a Family Support Worker at a stressful time while their child is treated as an inpatient.

Future - funding research, clinical posts and projects.

Find out more about Children’s Heart Surgery Fund and its work at chsf.org.uk. They would be hugely grateful for any online donations, which can be made chsf.org,uk/donate.