Pictured: Maggie with baby Alicia. Photo: Supplied.
BY ASHLEIGH HOWARTH
While sitting beside her newborn daughter in a Sydney hospital 17 years ago, Maggie Vukovic made herself a promise: if she was ever in a position to give something back to the organisation that helped her family through their darkest days, she would. Fast forward to today and an entire community is helping her keep that vow.
As the founder of Qi Flow Studio in Wynnum, Maggie has turned her daughter Alicia’s extraordinary heart journey into an annual fundraiser for HeartKids, having raised thousands for the not-for-profit organisation in two years.
“Every August around Alicia’s birthday, we open the doors of Qi Flow Studio for our annual Heart Day and invite everyone in – members, friends, families, children, neighbours and as many people from the wider community as we can possibly reach,” Maggie said.
“All of our classes are open to the public for the day, with every class ticket going towards HeartKids. During that day we offer a variety of classes including yoga, Pilates, barre, boxing, strength, aerial yoga and breathwork.
“In 2025 our fundraising target was $5,000 and we raised approximately $9,320.
“This year’s event was deliberately smaller because we were also celebrating Qi Flow’s fifth birthday. We set ourselves a target of $3,000 and once again our community nearly doubled it, raising $5,862.
“That means across our first two Heart Days we have raised more than $15,000 for HeartKids, and honestly, my heart is so full.
“It has grown into one of the biggest fundraising events within our Wynnum community, and seeing so many people get behind something that started from such a personal place for my family is incredibly special.”
During her 20-week scan, Maggie heard the words no parents ever want to hear. “I was told that something wasn’t right with my baby’s heart,” Maggie said. “I was sent for a specialist ultrasound, and that was when we found out that Alicia had Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS), a severe congenital heart condition where the left side of the heart is critically underdeveloped and cannot effectively pump blood around the body.”
Maggie was told her daughter had around a 75 percent chance of surviving to her first birthday and a 50 percent chance of reaching five. She underwent her first open-heart surgery at just one week old – an operation that lasted almost 18 hours. Instead of the three major surgeries as initially expected, Alicia ultimately underwent five, including an emergency, life-saving operation.
“I remember having to say goodbye to my baby without knowing whether I would ever get the chance to hold her again,” Maggie said.
Feeling like the only parent in the world going through this, Maggie was supported by a HeartKids representative named Kim, who became a lifelong friend.
During those uncertain times and long hours in hospital, HeartKids provided practical and emotional support to Maggie – from food vouchers and coffee to conversations with other families who were going through the same thing.
Given everything Maggie and Alicia have been through, Heart Day at the studio is one of their favourite days.
“For every other day of the year, I am there for my members, but on Heart Day, they are there for me,” Maggie said.
“They know Alicia’s story and how much HeartKids supported our family when we needed it most. When I ask my community to stand beside me for this one day and help me give something back, they don’t hesitate – they show up, they bring their families and friends, they buy tickets and raffle tickets, donate prizes, volunteer their time and spread the word.
“Heart Day is definitely becoming an annual event. Next year I want to make it bigger again, and it will be particularly special for our family because Alicia will be turning 18.”
