Brave Heart is a charitable fundraising initiative that was established in 2003 at the Children’s Heart Center (CHC), American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC), to provide financial assistance for the medical and surgical expenses of underprivileged children diagnosed with Congenital Heart Disease (CHD).

No child should die of heart disease because of a lack of funds.

Brave Heart helps cover the cost of medical expenses and surgeries for underprivilege children suffering from Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) whose families qualify for financial aid at the AUBMC Social Services Office, without any discrimination, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, nationality or religious affiliation. We abide by a strict 100% policy to make sure that 100% of all donations are used to cover the cost of surgeries and medical interventions. Brave Heart has spent an average of US$4,300 per procedure to treat more than 4,000 children in the last 17 years.

Currently, Lebanon has 5 cardiac centers with 14 pediatric cardiologists and 6 cardiac surgeons. The Children’s Heart Center (CHC) at AUBMC is the only comprehensive center for CHD in the country and has served as a leading center in Lebanon and the region providing excellence in clinical care for pediatric CHD cases, pursuing innovation in research, and developing educational and training programs. The CHC performs more than 65% of the surgical and interventional pediatric cardiology load in Lebanon. The CHC is a center dedicated to providing state-of-the-art diagnostic and therapeutic techniques for pediatric and adult patients with congenital and structural heart disease from Lebanon, the region, and beyond.

Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) is the abnormal development of the heart resulting in a defect with which the child is born. At least 35 types of defects are recognized, ranging from simple to complex malformations. With appropriate resources and treatment options, 98% of children born with CHD can be treated and lead normal healthy lives. Visit our CHD page to learn more about the most common CHD defects.

Congenital Heart Disease is the most common birth defect and the leading cause of death in the first year of life. 1 in 100 babies is diagnosed at birth worldwide. In Lebanon, every 12 hours a baby is born with CHD and will need surgery or some form of non-surgical procedure to survive. This is more than 700 newborns every year in Lebanon alone.

We have been covering around 250 surgeries and interventional procedures since 2003, which is an average of one surgery per day!

To date, the Brave Heart Fund (BHF) has helped save the life of more than 4,000 childrensince it was established in 2003 as the first patient fund in the country dedicated to pediatric cardiac care. Your gift will help us cover the cost of life-saving surgeries and medical interventions for underprivileged children with life-threatening heart conditions. Every 12 hours in Lebanon, a child is born with heart disease and needs immediate intervention to survive, which is an average of one surgery every day of the week. Your contribution will give a child a second chance at life and the hope of a future that is the right of every child.

You can make a financial donation or share our fundraising campaigns on your social media and with your networks to help spread awareness. Visit our DONATE page to learn about the different options available.

100% of donations are used to cover the cost of surgeries and medical interventions. We have been covering over 250 surgeries and interventional procedures a year since 2003, which is an average of one surgery per day!

Brave Heart does not take on volunteers as we do not have a formal volunteer program. However, we are delighted that you are interested in helping children in need through Brave Heart and encourage you to share your contact details for opportunities to help at our fundraising events. You may submit a resume or your contact information at info@braveheartfund.org

Of course! We are delighted that you are interested in fundraising for children in need. To learn more, please visit our ‘Get Involved’

Unfortunately, we cannot accept donations in-kind to fund the cost of surgeries and medical interventions.

We are delighted that you are interested in helping children in need through Brave Heart. You may submit a resume or your contact information at info@braveheartfund.org

If you have any questions that aren’t answered here, contact us at info@braveheartfund.org or call + 961 71 48 32 48, Monday-Friday 9am-5pm and we will be happy to assist you.

Brave Heart covers cases from the 5 main regions of Lebanon with a nearly uniform population distribution across the Beqaa, North Lebanon, South Lebanon, the Mount Lebanon region, and the Beirut region. In addition to Lebanese children, Brave Heart provides financial support in the medical interventions of a sizable foreign patient population residing in Lebanon, accounting for X% of total cases. This emphasizes our complete dedication to fair and non-discriminatory support of children in need.