Heart Friends Support Groups

Heart Friends supports parents, siblings, and caregivers of children with congenital or acquired heart disease. A child’s heart condition is more than a medical experience. It affects every aspect of family life. Heart Friends gives you a community of families who truly understand, helping you find emotional support, educational tools, and social connections when it matters most.

What is Heart Friends?

Heart Friends is a statewide network for families receiving cardiac care at University of Iowa Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital, with chapters across Iowa.

With a mission to provide emotional and educational support, raise awareness of congenital heart disease, and build a strong community for families at every stage of the heart-care journey, Heart Friends offers:

Emotional support and mentoring through peer connection with other families who have walked similar paths.

Educational events that give you reliable information about congenital heart defects, treatments, and long-term care.

Social gatherings and chapter events so your children and your family can meet others and just have fun.

All families have different needs, so we allow you to join at any point in your child's heart journey when you are ready to share with others. What we do is create connection, awareness, and a place where you feel heard and understood.

When to join Heart Friends

You may find Heart Friends helpful:

When your child is newly diagnosed with a heart condition, and you’re looking for support and guidance.

When you’re facing surgery or complex care and want families who’ve been there.

When you’re feeling isolated, want to connect with other siblings or caregivers, or need educational resources.

Even when your child is stable, but you want to join a community with social events and children’s activities with peers who understand.

If at any point in your heart-care journey you feel you’d benefit from connection, reassurance, or resources — it’s a good time to join.

What to expect

When you become part of Heart Friends, you’ll have access to:

Chapters in multiple regions (UIHC, Dubuque chapter, Waterloo chapter and Central Iowa chapter) with local event invitations.

Welcome materials and social media options

Social gatherings (annual CHD Day events, sporting events, family events, parent events, and more!) where you and your children can meet others.

Opportunities to volunteer or support awareness efforts if you’d like to give back.

Our program allows you to participate at your own pace and according to what your family needs.

Donate to Heart Friends

We are grateful for the many generous individuals and organizations who wish to bring cheer and comfort to our young patients and their families. You often ask how you can help. The biggest impact you can make is through a monetary donation to the Stead Family Children’s Hospital Fund. This fund provides support for the most urgent needs of Stead Family Children’s Hospital.
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