About the Hartekind Foundation

Our mission
Every year, 1,500 new parents hear that their child's heart is not completely healthy. Their child is one of more than 25,000 heart children in the Netherlands; children with a heart defect. Approximately two-thirds of these cardiac infants must undergo one or more life-saving operations shortly after birth. In addition, cardiac children often have a shorter life expectancy and limitations due to heart failure, cardiac arrhythmias and/or brain damage. And 150 heart defects still die every year, making a heart defect the number 1 cause of death among children under the age of 15.

That is why the Hartekind Foundation is committed with heart and soul to increasing the chances of survival of heart children and improving the quality of life. The Hartekind Foundation finances vital research, organizes/supports events and initiatives for this purpose and provides information to parents. In this way, we work together with you to create a world in which heartfelt children can be carefree children!

• 1 in 100 children has a heart defect; the most common birth defect
• 35% of the heart children show signs of post-traumatic stress
• 42% of the heart children has a developmental disorder
• A heart child is never cured

Research is REALLY needed
Less than 50 years ago, almost all children with a heart defect died and a very small percentage lived to adulthood. Since then, treatment options have skyrocketed. This has led to more than 90% of all heart children reaching adulthood today. Despite the great strides that have already been made, there is still a lot of work to be done before heart children can lead a normal and healthy life. Doctors must learn to understand, treat and prevent complications, residual abnormalities, heart failure, cardiac arrhythmias, brain damage and developmental problems much better. And this requires research!

Education
The Heart Child Foundation was founded in 2008 by parents of heart children from the Congenital Heart Defects Patient Association. There is a lot of knowledge available about obstacles that heart children face on their way to adulthood. With its activities, the Hartekind Foundation supports parents by providing them with practical information, inspiring them with positive stories from other (parents of) hartekind children and sometimes simply by offering a listening ear. The foundation also brings the impact of heart defects and the urgency of more research to the attention of the general public.

Help us too!
The Hartekind Foundation is a non-profit organization that is completely dependent on donations and gifts from private individuals and companies to achieve its stated objectives. Every effort is made to finance as much vital research into heart defects as possible. Consider, for example, organizing sporting sponsorship events, the annual national collection week and promotions at schools, companies and in the neighborhood. Will you also help to allow heart children to be carefree children?

About Mischa Hendriksen

Mischa was born into an artistic family. He was surrounded by art from an early age. His father painted, his mother was a sculptor and his sister worked in the graphic arts industry. It was therefore no surprise that Mischa would also aspire to a creative career herself.

​He started his career as a professional dancer. He traveled all over the world with various dance companies and enjoyed the adrenaline and expression of dancing. However, after 14 years he decided it was time for a new challenge.

​Mischa ended up in the international art trade. He worked from Amsterdam with galleries and collectors all over the world and learned everything about the art market and art itself. He became fascinated by the power of art to touch and inspire people.

​After being active in the art trade for 20 years, he started painting. He had always had a passion for painting, but never had the time for it. Now that he had more time, he could finally devote himself fully to his art.

His paintings are abstract and colorful. They radiate a sense of peace and tranquility. He uses his art to help people escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. He wants people to find a moment of peace and reflection in his paintings.

​Mischa is a unique artist with an interesting background. He has had a long and successful career in the dance and art trade and now focuses entirely on his painting. He creates beautiful, abstract paintings that radiate a sense of peace and tranquility.

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