Six leading organizations unite to launch the pediatric heart transplant alliance

Six Leading Organizations Unite to Launch the Pediatric Heart Transplant Alliance

Chicago, Illinois – 27 April, 2025 – A groundbreaking collaboration among leading organizations in pediatric heart transplantation has led to the formation of Pediatric Heart Transplant Alliance. Founding partners include Enduring Hearts, the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT), Pediatric Heart Transplant Society (PHTS), Transplant Families, Advanced Cardiac Therapies Improving Outcomes Network (ACTION), and Additional Ventures. The mission of the Alliance is to serve as a powerful coalition spotlighting the need for advancements in pediatric heart transplantation through research, education, and advocacy.

Pediatric heart transplantation is a lifesaving yet complex medical procedure that demands continuous innovation, scientific research, and policy advocacy to enhance patient outcomes. The Pediatric Heart Transplant Alliance unites key stakeholders—nonprofit organizations, academic institutions, for-profit companies, and NGOs—with the shared goal of improving the longevity and quality of life for pediatric transplant recipients.

The vision of the Pediatric Heart Transplant Alliance is to unite diverse stakeholders committed to advancing pediatric heart transplantation. By fostering collaboration of diverse stakeholders, the Alliance can support the organ transplantation journey ensuring that children who undergo heart transplants have access to the best possible care and long-term outcomes.

Through this collaboration, the Alliance aims to:

• Advance cutting-edge research to improve transplant success rates and long-term survival.
• Enhance educational initiatives for healthcare professionals, caregivers, and families navigating the transplant journey.
• Expand access to care, optimize donor organ utilization, and improve post-transplant quality of life.

This year, the historic milestone of the10,000th pediatric heart transplant will be recognized, underscoring the profound impact of transplantation on children and families nationwide. “It is most appropriate that this year be the launch of the first Pediatric Heart Transplant Alliance to acknowledge the tremendous breakthroughs in medical science.  So much has been accomplished, but we still have tremendous work to do to give these children the greatest opportunity for longevity and quality of life.” stated Lynda Lee Smith, CEO of Enduring Hearts. 

“For more than four decades, ISHLT has been at the forefront of advancing care for patients with advanced heart disease,” said Greg Schultz, CEO of the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation. “We are proud to join with our partners to launch the Pediatric Heart Transplant Alliance and build a future where every child who needs a heart transplant has access to innovative therapies, compassionate care, and the best possible outcomes.”

The Pediatric Heart Transplant Alliance is committed to fostering groundbreaking research, creating meaningful educational resources, and advocating for changes that benefit transplant recipients and their families. With its collective expertise and dedication, the Alliance is set to transform the future of pediatric heart transplantation.

For more information about the Pediatric Heart Transplant Alliance and its initiatives, please contact:

Mary Henderson
ISHLT Media Contact
mary@mrhpr.com

About Enduring Hearts
Enduring Hearts is the only national nonprofit dedicated to funding research to increase longevity and improve the quality of life for children with a transplanted heart. For more information about Enduring Hearts, visit www.enduringhearts.org.

About International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT)
International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving the care of patients with advanced heart or lung disease. For more information about ISHLT, visit: www.ishlt.org.

About Pediatric Heart Transplant Society (PHTS)
Pediatric Heart Transplant Society (PHTS) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the science and treatment of children through the journey of heart transplantation.  To learn more information about PHTS, visit: www.pediatrichearttransplantsociety.org.

About Additional Ventures
Additional Ventures’ mission is to cure single ventricle heart disease through transformative research and strategic investments that revolutionize treatment and care. To learn more about Additional Ventures, visit: www.additionalventures.org

About Transplant Families
Transplant Families unite families navigating the complexities of pediatric solid organ and bone marrow transplants.  To learn more information about Transplant Families, visit: www.transplantfamilies.org.

About Advanced Cardiac Therapies Improving Outcomes Network (ACTION)
ACTION unites and connects our global healthcare community to improve outcomes for patients with heart failure. For more information about ACTION, visit: www.actionlearningnetwork.org.

---

---