A charity supporting children with congenital heart disease will be given SA government funding to expand its services.
HeartKids will receive $1 million over four years for a specialised playgroup for early development, a targeted mental health program for families and better access to services in regional and remote areas.
Congenital heart disease, the general name for any defect of the heart, heart valves or major blood vessels present at birth, affects around 200 babies born in South Australia every year.
The disease has no known cure.
The Baker family believe extra support could be life-changing for families, particularly around mental health.
Kylie and Scott's daughter Abigail was diagnosed with a heart defect around 20 weeks, and was born five weeks' premature.
At 16 days old, she was flown to Melbourne for the first of six heart surgeries.
Financial pressures added to the already stressful time, and HeartKids stepped in to assist with support such as meal vouchers.
Mrs Baker said there were many costs associated with hospital stays.
"Paying for the parking at Women's and Children's Hospital, that wasn't free either," Kylie Baker said.
"That's really unbelievably expensive for a parent."
"Even one day, someone dropped nappies at our house because we couldn't afford them.
Abigail, now aged 10, enjoys an active lifestyle filled with drama, dancing and singing.
The Bakers hope today's announcement will help other families experiencing congenital heart disease.
"If you met any heart kid, they will persevere," Mrs Baker said.
"They are strong and will be more resilient."
HeartKids SA/NT state manager Tania Potts said remote and regional families would receive additional support under the funding boost.
"For a family that has to go to Melbourne for surgery, they're removed from their support networks for a long period of time," she said.
"But if you add remote on top of that you have to come to Adelaide first for pre-admission, stay here longer, you're separated for longer.
"Costs increase, everything is that more complicated.
"To be able to deliver key support across regional South Australia will make that so much easier for families."
