Anti-coagulant machines - changing lives

SaveMart stores

SaveMart stores has been the main sponsor of the Heart Children NZ Anti-Coagulant Machine Project since 2004.

For many heart children who have undergone surgery, the blood thinning drug Warfarin is prescribed to prevent small and delicate veins from becoming clotted and causing life threatening complications. An unfortunate necessity with Warfarin is the need to have a lifetime of regular blood tests to determine the level of thickness of the blood, which in turn is used to regulate the required dosage of Warfarin. Some children require weekly to monthly blood tests and the most severe cases require daily tests. This can involve lengthy visits to clinic and often blood is only drawn from a vein. For younger children, this can be very traumatic.

In response Heart Children NZ implemented the Heart Children NZ Anti-Coagulant Machine Project. Supported and funded by SaveMart stores, Heart Children NZ was able to provide its members with CoaguChek machines free of charge.

These special, portable machines need only a single drop of blood taken from a prick of the finger. The blood is then placed on a testing strip and an accurate reading of the thickness of the blood is then given. This reading will enable medical staff to adjust the amount Warfarin required.

The Ward family from Wellington says, “We suddenly had lots of freedom and independence. We could perform a blood test when it was convenient for us, no sedation, no tears, no pain, nor car trips, just us and a firm flat surface.”

Thank you to SaveMart stores for its support. It's changing lives.