ECHO supports families affected by children’s heart conditions, who have been treated by Evelina London, Royal Brompton and Harefield and their networks of specialist local hospitals.
ECHO provides support from the moment of diagnosis, throughout every stage of their journey including any treatment and care pathway, or bereavement. The charity offers a number of practical services aimed at supporting these families, often when there is little other help available.
The charity was formed in 1983 by parents of heart children and the first Paediatric Cardiologist at the Evelina London. Over the years the charity has been led and supported by parents & relatives of children who have travelled the congenital & acquired heart disease journey. Congenital heart disease is the most common birth defect affecting just under 1 in every 100 babies born in the UK.
ECHO helps members from across the UK and does so within Evelina London, Royal Brompton and Harefield, their networks of local community hospitals and in the community.
ECHO is regarded by many as a second family and a strong network to be part of at all life stages of their heart journey, often people access support in a crisis and again years later at different milestones. Families are supported at every stage of their heart child’s journey through childhood, teenage years and during the transition to adult services.
ECHO connects the children’s heart community by bringing together children and young people with heart conditions, their families and medical professionals. It is a community of shared experience and understanding.