According to WHO, every year 1.4 million children are born with congenital heart disease. In Ukraine, about 5000 kids are born with various congenital anomalies of the cardiovascular system. 40% of these children are in critical condition from their first hours, days, and months of life. The mortality rate for congenital heart defects is about 80%. About 40% of children with congenital heart disease die before the age of 1 month. However, the situation is not so hopeless. The majority of children with congenital heart diseases could be saved if surgery is performed in a timely manner. Such life-saving surgeries are conducted in the Scientific and Practical Medical Center for Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery of the MoH of Ukraine.

The Scientific and Practical Medical Center for Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery of the MoH of Ukraine is the main institution in the sector of Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery and the only tertiary care institution in Ukraine, where the treatment of the most complex congenital heart conditions is possible, regardless of the patient’s age. It is a unique institution, the specialists of which can operate on children with complex heart diseases from the first hours of their life. On average, over 40,000 patients per year are having consultations at the Center, more than 5,000 are hospitalized, and more than 3,000 are having surgeries. Such types of treatment became possible only thanks to the money, raised during the 2017 Chestnut Run, after which the angiographic unit was bought. Consequently, before the year 2018, such surgeries could not be conducted at all. Among the successfully treated young patients, 55% are kids in the first year of life, and nearly 20% – infants (up to 30 days after birth). For newborns such surgeries are conducted only upon critical indexes, in circumstances when their life is doomed. Endovascular surgeries also are carried out when critical heart conditions are diagnosed. Therefore, up to 70% of newborns requiring urgent cardiosurgical care, get it in the Center for Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery.

In terms of the number and complexity of surgeries performed last year, the Center ranks first in Europe among pediatric cardiac centers. The post-operative mortality rate is 1%, compared to 2-3% in the best Western European and American clinics. These excellent results have been achieved due to active scientific research, the constant implementation of the latest medical technological advancements, the highest professional qualifications, and the responsibility and dedication of the medical personnel. Among the recent scientific-technological developments, one notable achievement is the prenatal diagnosis program, which allows the detection of congenital heart defects in the fetus while still in the womb, enabling timely preparation to provide the necessary help. Another world-renowned breakthrough is the technique of using umbilical cord blood instead of donor blood during emergency surgeries for newborns with critical conditions in the first hours of life. This development by Dr. I.M. Emets has received high praise and is now being actively implemented in clinics around the world.

Participants of the Chestnut Run have been supporting the Center for Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine since 2002. Over 12 years, $760,408 has been raised, which was used to purchase necessary equipment and supplies for the recipient. Each year, every contribution from a participant transforms into the real foundation for the successful operation and development of the Center. First and foremost, this involves the purchase of the latest high-quality medical equipment. For example, thanks to the participants of the 2010 Run, the Center received the only extracorporeal membrane oxygenation machine («Artificial Heart») in Ukraine. In 2013, the CS300 counterpulsator (the third in Ukraine) was acquired — a device that ensures adequate blood pressure when the small heart cannot manage it independently. In 2019, the first EnSite™ electrophysiological cardiac navigation system in Ukraine was purchased.

The device is used for intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation and features a widely adopted mechanical system currently used for temporary support of heart pump function in patients suffering from left ventricular failure. Today, the installation is a simple and safe procedure for the patient, which can be performed «at the patient's bedside». An undeniable achievement of this method's implementation is the ability to stabilize hemodynamics in the context of acute myocardial infarction and unstable angina. Additionally, the method saves many patients from undergoing angioplasty and continuous thrombolytic treatment.

In 2014, with funds raised by the participants of the Run, the Center was equipped with an autonomous heating and hot water system, ensuring its uninterrupted operation during the challenging winter of 2014/2015. In 2015, the Chestnut Run Charitable Foundation purchased A8 and M9500 cardiac monitors for the Center and financed essential diagnostic and repair work on the clinic's equipment, amounting to over 1,000,000 UAH. These funds were raised by the participants of the 23rd Chestnut Run event and donated by the «Inter» TV channel and FC «Dynamo» as part of their charitable initiatives. In 2016, the funds raised by the participants of the Run contributed to the replacement of the X-ray tubes in the angiographic unit. This device is the «gold standard» for patient examinations and performing surgeries without incisions. Every day, up to 10 children undergo examinations and surgeries using this equipment. In 2017, the amount of charitable assistance exceeded 1 million UAH for the first time, reaching 1,500,000 UAH. In 2018, it grew to 2,000,000 UAH. In 2019, the total amounted to 2,935,600 UAH, of which 2,800,000 UAH was transferred to the Children's Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery Center. These funds enabled the acquisition of long-awaited equipment for the Electrophysiology and Radiological Surgical Methods of Treating Heart Rhythm Disorders Department – the EnSite™ electrophysiological cardiac navigation system, valued at 6.2 million UAH. More than 4 million UAH was raised during the Chestnut Run event over three years—2017, 2018, and 2019. The remaining amount was donated by the International Charitable Foundation «Children's Heart».

A KEYTER KWE-3060-RNS4W chiller was also purchased for 967,000 UAH to provide cooling for the liquid helium in the MRI system (ensuring the uninterrupted operation of the equipment) and to prevent the increase in pressure and the release of helium into the air.

In 2020, with the second part of the contributions from participants of the 27th Chestnut Run charity run, a new anesthetic and respiratory apparatus, the A7 (Mindray), was purchased for 1,315,000 UAH. The primary function of the device is to perform artificial ventilation of the lungs. The full set of ventilation modes at the resuscitation level meets the needs at all stages of anesthesia. The multifunctionality of this device allows it to be used in both intensive care units and regular wards. At the Children's Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery Center, the apparatus is actively used for at least 2 operations per day.

2019 was a record year — the largest number of participants, the highest charitable donation amount, three recipients, and 20,000 saved lives! A remarkable coincidence that every participant can be proud of: in 2019, over 20,000 charitable contributors were registered, and it was this same number of infants that were saved during the support of the Children's Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery Center!

With funds raised by participants of the 28th Chestnut Run charity run in 2021, a neonatal incubator worth 1,250,000 UAH was purchased. Thanks to this equipment, the medical staff of the Children's Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery Center of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine saves newborn patients with complex heart defects daily! The incubator provides a stable temperature, humidity, and necessary oxygen levels in the air. Special devices allow for child care and various procedures to be performed without removing the infant from the incubator.