Let Children's Heart Services help you! You are not alone. We don't know why it happened to you (or to us) but we do know how you hurt and how you may be confused about what to do next. Whether you are the parents of a child just diagnosed with a heart defect or the parent of a child who has already had surgery performed, Children's Heart Services can help you.

How?

OUR GOALS

We are striving to provide Illinois (Chicago area) with a giving, growing organization for parents, families and children with heart defects and to promote public awareness of congenital heart defects and acquired heart disease in childhood. Together we are seeking to enhance each other's lives by discussing our experiences and by sharing our knowledge and emotions.

OUR SERVICES

We have established The CHS Phoneline (a telephone help line), a newsletter, a Parent Information kit, and numerous educational programs. Our special support groups cover parents, individuals and even teenagers with heart defects. All of them are run by people who have lived with and understand your fears.

We realize that these services alone may not ease your concerns completely nor answer all your questions. There have been times we didn't understand the language or medical terms. We have felt alone, scared and uncertain that our questions or decisions were the best ones. Talking and working with others can help us all.

"Should I get a second opinion?
What will our doctor think?
Will she be insulted?
What about the cost?
How do I handle these medical bills?
How do I explain my child's defect to him?
How much time do we have?
What about my child?"

You are not the first. And you won't be the last. But it's your child and right now, no one else matters to you but your child and his or her future. We know that. We also know that you will respond best to others who have faced the same crisis issues.

WE CARE

Please know that we care. We are an all volunteer, non-profit organization. We are the parents and professionals who have lived your pain and pledged that we would take the strength we found in others and give back our own help and love to others. You may be one of these people who needs help immediately. A year from now, you may be one of those who can give to someone else. Let us help.

Please visit our web site or send us an e-mail if we can be of help to you and your family.