About 40,000 babies (1 in 110) in the U.S. are born with heart conditions called congenital heart defects each year! Nearly 25% of them will need to have surgery or a medical procedure to survive. Some families find themselves rushed to a hospital far from home for their childs surgery or medical procedure.
The Mended Hearts, Inc. began the Bravery Bag Program in 2014 under its Mended Little Hearts program to support families with children in the hospital for heart surgery or other medical procedures.
What is a Bravery Bag?
Children in the hospital and their families must be very brave. The Bravery Bag program was designed to help them do that.
A Bravery Bag is more than just a bag; its a lifeline to families in crisis.
Bravery Bags are filled with toiletry items, comfort items, fun items, and educational resources. The provide families with some of the things they may need during a hospital stay, but more importantly, they let the family know they are not alonethat there are people out there who care about them and are there to support them.
Get Involved
Supporting Group Programs: Many Mended Little Hearts groups around the nation have Bravery Bag programs. They often could use support collecting toiletry items and other items (adult crossword and activity books, coloring books and crayons, playing cards, heart pillows, baby blankets, etc.) for the bags. They also could use donations to help them purchase some of the items needed.
Find a Mended Little Hearts Group Near You- Find a Chapter/Group
Starting a Bravery Bag Program: Bravery Bags can be very basic with a few items or filled with items. Anyone can start a Bravery Bag Program for their childs childrens hospital or cardiology practice. It does take time and effort and often requires seeking donations, but it provides a huge amount of comfort to children and families. Please contact us to learn more.
Donating to the Bravery Bag Program: You can make a donation and request that it be used towards the Bravery Bag Program by simply noting that in the comment line. This will allow us to expand our program to more hospitals and cardiology practices.
