What we do
Heartbeat provides services such as reassurance, fundraising functions, and social activities for members and cardiac patients. Anyone who has undergone cardiac surgery, suffers from cardiac disease or is interested in the aims and objectives of Heartbeat is eligible to join.
Family and friends have an important part to play and are therefore most welcome to join Heartbeat. By joining Heartbeat you too can help other patients in their recovery, supporting them and their carers.
Reassurance
It is often a very stressful time for the patient and their family when they are informed that a cardiac procedure such as valve replacement, bypass surgery, pacemaker, angiography or angioplasty, is required.
Many people have little knowledge of open heart surgery or cardiac procedures. Often there are fears and misconceptions concerning employment, finances and a general inability to adjust.
State of mind, both before and after, plays a large part in eventual recovery. Reassurance and encouragement from ex-patients can often help to ease this stress.
Heartbeat members recognise this need and have Reassurance Officers who are available to talk with patients before and after surgery.
Fund Raising
Heartbeat in South Australia was originally formed to raise funds to purchase equipment for the Royal Adelaide Hospital Cardiac Unit. Since that time, funds are also raised for other public hospitals that now perform heart surgery and procedures and also for Cardiac Care units throughout the state.
Heartbeat is run entirely by volunteers, so fundraising costs are kept to a minimum. Since January 1980, over $4,000,000 has been raised.
The Branches use many varied ways to fundraise, including:
Badge days, Trading tables, Raffles and Peoples Choice Credit Union Lottery, Garage sales, Bingo, Entertainment books, Biscuit sales, Card afternoons, Charity Bike Rides, Village Fairs, Walk-a-thons, and Bingo.
Volunteers often find that the fundraising is also a social occasion and lots of fun and interaction with the general community is a great bonus to this work.
Heartbeat is a charity and is registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profit Commission. For information about our charity see www.acnc.gov.au
To read the Collections for Charitable Purposes Policy click here to download. For information regarding South Australian Charities see (www.charities.sa.gov.au).
Meetings
Most Branches hold a meeting once a month (see listing under 'Branches').
Some Branches provide a guest speaker at their meetings. Many interesting topics are presented and enjoyed.
For information about speakers, contact the local Branches:
Russell Page on (08) 8177 2270 can provide Branch Secretary contact details.
Social Activities
The Social Committee of the Branches of Heartbeat arrange all kinds of social activities for their members. It is of great benefit to heart patients to take part in these activities. They might include:
Christmas and Branches Birthday lunch, Volunteers lunch/morning tea, Cinema trips, Melbourne Cup Lunch, visits to local places of interest and Picnics.
Costs for these functions are usually kept to a minimum, while still providing an enjoyable time out in the community.