Help babies with serious heart conditions

On November 8th, 1999, Tiny Tickers was born - created to give babies with congenital heart disease a better start in life.

We're had a big impact in that time - helping to double the UK's average antenatal detection rate of CHD - but there is still so much more we can do to help babies, their families, and the health professionals who look after them.

We've only been able to help so many babies so far because of the wonderful generosity of you, our amazing supporters. Thank you so much for everything you've done for Tiny Tickers over the last 20 years.

Back in 1999, I had no idea the path my life would take – the journey that would
eventually lead me to joining Tiny Tickers. I was too busy learning about the world of
work; bracing myself for the final episode of Gladiators; and trying to get the
earworm that was Mambo No.5 out of my head.

You see, that’s what CHD does. It doesn’t discriminate. It just happens. Wham – it
rips up the plans you make and sets you off on a journey no one would chose and no
one can understand unless they’ve walked the same path.

So, 20 years into Tiny Tickers’ mission, how are we doing? I think, for a small charity,
we have punched above our weight and made a big impact.

There are now around 250,000 adults living with CHD in the UK – that means that more adults are alive with CHD than children, and is a fabulous testament to improvements in diagnosis, surgery and treatment in recent decades. But all too frequently, here at Tiny Tickers, we hear from families that haven’t had a positive outcome – including babies whose CHD has only been detected for the first time after their deaths.

I’ve seen what the NHS is capable of doing once a baby is in their care, and I want every baby to have that same chance as my daughter, Zoe. Tiny Tickers has come a long way, but we still have so much more to do to ensure no baby dies before their heart defect is spotted.

Your support has got us as far as we have over the last 20 years; and that support will drive our next 20 years. Thank you for being there when we've needed you.