About Us
Heart Children is the national organisation providing support to people born with Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) and their families. We work to help people with CHD of all ages to stay well, live confidently and enjoy life to its fullest.
A diagnosis of congenital heart disease, whether received pre-natally, or at birth, presents parents with a different set of life challenges than those they initially expected. The news can be traumatic and it can be hard to understand how and why this has happened.
Heart Children is here to support you as you come to terms with the diagnosis.
Heart Children welcomes you to our CHD community and works to support you and your family’s health and well-being.
We’re with you through your journey.
Our Team
Our Mission and Vision
To support people with congenital heart disease to live confidently, stay well and enjoy life to its fullest.
To create a society where all those with CHD are empowered so that they can live more confident and independent lives.
Governance & Policies
Heart Children Ireland is a registered charity (CHY No: 10028) which fully subscribes to the Statement of Guiding Principles for Fundraising (ICTR) and operates in full compliance with the Charities Governance Code. The Board monitors compliance on an ongoing basis under the control of the Finance, Audit & Risk (FAR) committee.
Annual Reports & Publications
Board Members
Heart Children is governed by a committed board of parents, people with CHD and other health and business professionals who provide their time on a voluntary basis to guide and advise our organisation.
Mike Foley, Chairman & Treasurer
Mike was re-appointed to the board in 2019. Now in retirement following a career as an accountant, Mike is from Limerick, and the parent of a child with CHD. He has been involved with Heart Children for over 20 years.
Lisa McAlister
Lisa was appointed to the board in 2022. She is a Human Resources Manager with over 20 years HR and people management experience in multinational and Irish organisations. Lisa has considerable knowledge of board governance, compliance and operational issues and is a parent to a child with CHD.
John McGuckian
Denis O’Connor, Vice Chair
Denis was appointed to the board in 2022. He was born with CHD. He ran a family stockbroking business for 25 years and now offers his considerable experience of governance issues and business expertise to
Heart Children.
Dr. Rachel Power
Rachel was appointed to the Board in 2022. She is a Consultant Paediatrician with Expertise in Cardiology (‘PEC’), at the University of Limerick Hospital, serving patients and families in the Mid-West.
Rhona Savage
Rhona was appointed to the board in 2022. She is the Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANP) in the Mater Hospital’s Acute Cardiology Unit. She provides a nurse-centred service to adults with CHD who require life-long cardiac care.
Michael Teehan, Secretary
Michael was appointed to the board in 2019. He was born with CHD and his mother was a former chairperson of the organisation. Following many surgeries, he feels he brings a unique perspective to the board as a former Heart Child and now an adult living with CHD.
Veronica Yeomans
Veronica was appointed to the board in 2023. She runs a busy montessori school in Killester, Dublin. Her son, Richard, who had CHD, sadly passed away from the condition in 2013.
Pearse Corcoran
Pearse was appointed to the board in 2024. He was born in New York with CHD and had open-heart surgery at just a few days old. He is married and works in Dublin in corporate communications as a public relations consultant. Considering his experience with surgeries, Pearse believes his unique insight can help Heart Children achieve its’ long term goals.
