HUGE S TEP F OR HEAR TKIDS
BIRTHDAYS loom large in the lives of children but nineyear- old Kartia Hankin has grown up with a second celebration almost as dear to her family’s hearts.
Kartia was just 10 days old when she was flown to Brisbane for lifesaving heart surgery after doctors found a severe blockage in her aorta, which had brought its 8mm diameter down to just 2mm.
Without the surgery, Kartia could have died within a week.
“When she was at daycare they would usually have a cake to celebrate the surgery and talk about HeartKids,” mum Jackie Hankin said. “She called it her fixed heart birthday.’’ Kartia yesterday led the HeartKids Two Feet and A Heartbeat charity walk at Jezzine Barracks, held annually in support of children who are affected by congenital heart disease.
Walkers carried coloured flags with blue representing people with heart disease, red representing supporters and white representing those walking in memory of a loved one.
Charity walk organiser Petrece Dwyer Sayers said there were 184 participants in yesterday’s walk, the fifth year the event had been held in Townsville.
“This is the largest number we’ve ever had here in Townsville so it just shows we’re really getting the awareness out there,” she said.
“It’s always a day for celebrations but it’s also a day to really remember those little Heart Angels who bravely fought for their lives.”