Tania’s Story.
Our founder, Tania, was diagnosed with congenital heart disease in utero. Congenital heart disease is the leading cause of infant death in Australia with four lives lost to congenital heart disease every week.
At birth, Tania was given a less than 2% chance of survival. Within her first 6 months of life she had 3 heart surgeries, suffered a stroke and now lives with a permanent pacemaker. She spent her first Christmas in hospital after having suffered a stroke and heart failure.
Learning your child has a life threatening heart condition is overwhelming and Tania’s family was deeply affected by her struggle with repeated surgeries, complications and treatments. Heart Kids gave her parents the much needed support and understanding required for their own journey.
After defying the odds, Tania was determined to live her best life. Tania grew up just like her brother and sister, never letting her condition define who she was. She went on to complete her schooling and graduate from university. With a passion for travel and culture, Tania worked at Walt Disney World in Orlando, USA. It was during this time that she gained insight into her life’s purpose and a desire to inspire and make a difference to others.
On her return to Australia, Tania used her Hospitality and Event Management qualifications to launch a new business, Benchmark Events and Travel.
Heart Kids Super Boss Day 2020
Heart Kids Super Boss Day challenges you to dress as your favourite superhero for a day to join the fight against congenital heart disease. On Heart Kids Super Boss Day 2020 Tania was made an official ambassador of Heart Kids.
Having experienced first-hand the great work that Heart Kids provides, Tania also promoted Super Boss Day by initiating Business With A Heart to sponsor a superhero bear for a sick child. Tania knows only too well how a small superhero bear can bring much happiness to a little boy or girl undergoing heart surgery.
“I am proud to be an ambassador for HeartKids and opening up our world to the wider community”, Tania Mastroianni.
Our Mission
Bring joy to sick children and their families who are affected in many ways by a life threatening condition. Through our products and services we aim to engage the wider community educating them about what it’s like to be a child and growing up with an incurable medical condition. We use a percentage of our profits and ‘Sponsored Bears’ as a means to brighten up a sick child in hospital’s day as they fight for their lives and undergo surgery.
Charities We Support
All Business With A Heart services include an element of giving which supports our two main charities: HeartKids Charity and The Starlight Foundation. These charities have had a significant impact on our founder’s life, and as a business we have experienced the incredible impact that these charities have on the lives of children and adults who live with an incurable medical condition.
We also support: Ronald McDonald House, Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation and Central Coast Health District through the sponsorship of Special Bear Friends. Companies have the opportunity to select where their bears get donated to, allowing them to continue to support their chosen charities and foundations.
HeartKids is the only National charity that advocates for children, teens and adults living with Congenital Heart Disease in Australia. Through their event campaigns and community work, HeartKids strive to raise awareness for CHD which impacts the lives of 8 precious babies every day in Australia. With the ongoing support and funds donated, the charity is able to fund further medical research and continue their support programs they have implemented in order to support those living and caring for people with CHD. HeartKids extends their support programs to those families who have lost a Heart Angel, which statistics show is 4 babies every week across Australia. It is through their nurturing staff and volunteers that HeartKids is able to continue to have an impact on the lives of Heart Warriors, assisting them in accomplishing their greater life goals.
Starlight Foundation is one of the largest charities that have a significant impact on children’s lives whilst they are in hospital. Through their Captain Starlight program, and Starlight rooms located in the Children’s Hospitals, children and their families are able to escape the hospital life and be involved in activities that bring them joy and laughter. Starlight strives to allow ill children forget they are in hospital - and allow parents and loved ones enjoy creating fond memories with their children smiling and having fun.
RMHC creates, finds and supports programs that directly impact the health and wellbeing of children and their families. RMHC is there for families when they need it most: right in their own communities.