Maggie Vukovic with Alicia. Photos: Supplied.
When Wynnum local Maggie Vukovic went for a routine 20-week pregnancy scan, she was told her unborn daughter, Alicia, had Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS) – a condition that meant she would be born with only half a heart. Doctors gave Alicia a 50% chance of surviving to her fifth birthday.
Each day in Australia, eight babies are born with congenital or childhood-acquired heart disease (CoHD), which remains the leading cause of death in infants under 12 months, claiming four lives each week.
By age five, Alicia had undergone five open-heart surgeries, spending much of her early childhood in hospital. Today, she is a thriving 16-year-old who faces life with courage and a bright spirit, despite the challenges of her condition. Her strength – and the support Maggie received from HeartKids Australia – inspired Maggie to give back.
On Saturday 23 August 2025, Maggie and the team at Qi Flow Studio will host Qi Flow Heart Day, raising funds and awareness for HeartKids – the only national charity dedicated to supporting children and families affected by CoHD. HeartKids provides emotional, financial, and practical support during some of life’s toughest moments.
The event will feature fitness classes, community stories, family activities, raffles, and a live BayFM broadcast, bringing people together to celebrate courage, connection, and care.
“This day is about more than fundraising,” Maggie says. “It’s about letting families know they are not alone, and about honouring the strength of kids like Alicia while empowering our community to make a difference.”
Local businesses and community leaders are already backing the event, but everyone is encouraged to attend, participate, or donate to help HeartKids continue its vital work.
For more information and tickets, visit https://events.humanitix.com/qi-flow-heart-day.
