EVANSTON South’s Sarah Byrnes finds it difficult to speak about the loss of her baby son Lincoln to childhood heart disease, but this month she is bravely sharing her story as an Adelaide Heart Angel Ambassador.

Sarah accepted the role so she could give-back to HeartKids which supports families like hers, and raises awareness for childhood heart disease – the biggest killer of children under one.

“The medical consequences are significant and people are just not aware – it really is a silent disease,” she said.

“I’m very interested in raising awareness, and in that families will be more supported going through the process and there will be more funds for research, and hopefully one day better treatment and a cure.”

Sarah was 31 weeks pregnant when her son Lincoln was diagnosed with congenital heart disease, in 2017.

During Lincoln’s battle he underwent multiple surgeries, including the first open heart surgery at only five-days-old, but sadly passed away when he was only three-months-old.

“HeartKids were a significant support during my pregnancy, when he was born, through surgeries and after death,” Sarah said.

“So it was just finding the strength to connect with them and support them; I can’t buy Lincoln a Christmas present, so this is all I can do.”

This month Sarah will be surrounded by other HeartKids families and supporters when she takes part in the Two Feet and A Heartbeat charity walk, at West Beach, October 18.

She said she hopes other families join the walk or donate.

“HeartKids’ support was unconditional, I’m not sure how we would have coped without them,” she said.

“I am honoured to have been chosen to be the Adelaide Heart Angel Ambassador.”

Two Feet & A Heartbeat features two fitness levels with participants given the option to either walk four kilometres in honour of the four lives lost each week to congenital or acquired heart disease, or to challenge themselves with an eight kilometre walk in recognition of the eight babies who are born with the disease each day.

Walkers also have the option to carry a flag with the colour representing their connection to congenital heart disease: blue for those affected by the disease, red for those showing support, and white for those walking in memory of a Heart Angel.

All funds raised by Two Feet and A Heartbeat will help to support the expansion of HeartKids family support programs across Australia.

HeartKids’ Holly Williams said the programs provide essential support services for thousands of families nationwide and are even more critical during times of COVID-19.

“Raising funds for HeartKids provides families with greater access to support services and programs that help families feel less isolated, navigate their new normal and build resilience, so they are less reliant on the medical system,” she said.

“It can be particularly important for those in regional and rural areas.”

To date, HeartKids has committed more than $3.5 million to fund research into the causes, treatment and management of childhood heart disease.