The En Cœur Foundation is teaming up with Partenaires de Cœur

The En Cœur Foundation helps children with congenital heart disease and their families. When they turn 18, the shift from pediatric to adult care represents a vital step in their patient journey. To facilitate their transition to the Montreal Heart Institute, the En Cœur Foundation has decided to invest in the Partenaires de Cœur program. 

The individuals who benefit from the Partenaires de Cœur program receive much more than financial assistance at a particularly difficult period in their lives. They are provided aid intended to shield them from financial hardship caused by a loss of income. They also have access to a social worker who will assess their individual situation and needs before mobilizing resources and leveraging mechanisms to reinforce their social safety net. 

In other words, the Partenaires de Cœur program is designed to help patients regain their footing. In addition to providing emergency assistance for immediate needs, the program also seeks to deploy sustainable solutions to promote recovery as well as medium- and long-term stability. 

“This discreet support makes a real difference in the lives of those who benefit from it. We see it in the intensity of their gratitude, their relaxed body language, and their tear-filled eyes when we provide help,” said Geneviève Dulude, Director of the Partenaires de Cœur program at the MHI. 

For more than 35 years, the En Cœur Foundation has been providing support to children with congenital heart conditions and their parents from the moment they receive their diagnosis. But just because a patient reaches adulthood doesn’t mean they no longer need a helping hand.  

“At the heart of our mission lies a simple belief: behind every child living with a congenital heart condition is an entire family that requires assistance. The transition from pediatric to adult care is a major step and our goal is to be there at this pivotal moment to ensure continuity in their patient journey. Our wish is a simple one: that no young person feels alone when they reach this milestone,” said Sylvie Gérin-Lajoie, Executive Director of the En Cœur Foundation. 

In addition to pursuing their studies or joining the labour market, these individuals need to learn to navigate a new health care network. The partnership between the En Cœur Foundation and the MHI Foundation was therefore a natural fit. After all, they share an overlapping mission to ensure the overall well-being of patients and their families. By contributing to the Partenaires de Cœur program, the En Cœur Foundation is pursuing its goal of providing ongoing support to patients well past adulthood. 

Mounting logistical costs such as parking, public transit, gas, meals, or even lodging for those living outside of Montreal can sometimes add an extra burden to families already facing hardship. “These expenses might seem minor, but when they add up, they can represent a significant challenge for a young adult,” added Ms. Gérin-Lajoie. 

Behind every diagnosis is an entire family going through a difficult time. The generosity of donors has allowed numerous patients to benefit from financial support to obtain essential care and resources. Donations have also enabled the program to expand the range of services available to meet growing needs.  

Philanthropy steps in where and when the health care system cannot: it eliminates financial and material barriers which in turn provides peace of mind to patients and their loved ones. Partenaires de Cœur is a genuine showcase of solidarity, allowing patients to continue receiving care while giving them the freedom to focus on both their recovery and what the future holds for them.