[Filling the Gap in the Medical System] Providing 'Another Set of Eyes' for Children with Heart Disease After Discharge. Donation Project to Expand Free Lending of Pulse Oximeters Calls for Further Support 1 Month After Launch
NPO Heart Kids Japan has launched a crowdfunding campaign to expand its free pulse oximeter lending service for home-care children with heart disease, aiming to double the monthly lending capacity.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 14, 2026 at 01:23
- 🔍 Collected: April 13, 2026 at 16:35
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 19, 2026 at 20:43 (148h 8m after Collected)
NPO Heart Kids Japan (Location: Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture; Representative Director: Koichi Sugimoto), having been selected for the 'Project Designated Grant Program 2025' operated by the public interest incorporated foundation Chiba WA Regional Development Fund, launched a donation collection project (crowdfunding) on February 25, 2026, to deliver pulse oximeters free of charge to children receiving home medical care.
With 157 lending records in the first year of the project, an unexpectedly pressing need has become apparent, prompting a full-scale call for support aimed at expanding the lending system.
As donations to a public interest promotion corporation, both individuals and corporations can receive tax preferential treatment.
'Invisible Anxiety' Striking Families After Discharge and the Wall of the System
Supporting the Anxiety of Parents Watching Over Their Children at Home After Discharge
Congenital heart disease is a pediatric disease found in about 1 in 100 births. While medical technological advancements save many lives, the systems to support life after discharge are insufficient.
Especially in severe cases, there are many points to be careful about at home, such as poor weight gain and infection risks, making the measurement of 'oxygen saturation' indispensable for children with cyanotic heart disease.
However, pulse oximeter probes dedicated to infants are expensive and difficult to obtain at general electronics retail stores. With no public purchase or rental support systems, many families exist who 'know they need it but cannot buy it', leaving parents to face anxiety alone at the moment medical support thins out immediately after discharge.
One Year Since Project Launch: The 'Systematic Void' Shown by 157 Records
About one year since the start of the free lending project in February 2025, 157 units were lent annually.
Survey by NPO Heart Kids Japan (from usage records February 2025 - February 2026)
The majority of users are 0-year-olds (approx. 65%): Demand is overwhelmingly high for 0-3 months old immediately after discharge.
The most common disease is congenital heart disease (approx. 36%): Followed by respiratory diseases and families with premature birth/NICU experience, revealing a latent need of 'feeling anxious despite no specific diagnosis'.
The reality has been highlighted that from the day they return home from the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit), parents must watch over their child's condition alone.
Voices from Families: 'I Could Sleep Just Having It on Hand'
The words from the families who used the service speak to the significance of this project.
'It helped me decide whether to go to the ER' (Parent of a 0-year-old)
She is 10 months old but a daughter who hasn't spent more than 3 months at home yet. It was really helpful to be able to judge whether to go to the emergency room with the pulse oximeter.
'She got pneumonia, and I realized its importance' (Parent of a 1-year-old)
My impression is that there aren't many pediatric clinics that measure it. When my daughter caught pneumonia, I realized the importance of the pulse oximeter for the first time.
'No apnea was seen, but I felt a sense of security' (Parent of a 0-year-old)
We didn't actually use it, but having it gave us peace of mind. I sincerely thank everyone who supported us.
As much as we receive comments like 'I was able to use it to check the numbers', we receive comments saying 'I could sleep just having it on hand'. The pulse oximeter is certainly functioning as 'another set of eyes' for families after discharge.
Towards a System Where Society as a Whole Supports Children with Heart Disease
Bringing the 'Socially Supported Medical Care' Seen Overseas to Japan
Representative Director Koichi Sugimoto worked as a pediatric cardiac surgeon in Australia and Canada for about 6 years. Locally, a 'system where society as a whole supports' children with heart disease and their families by collecting citizen donations took root. The desire to create that system in Japan led to the establishment of this corporation.
This project is an initiative to fill the gaps in the medical system. It is a project to create the foundation of a 'society where children who have undergone surgery and their families can live with peace of mind in the community'.
Support Received from 10 People Already in the First Month. To Expand the Circle Further
About one month since the project started at the end of February. We have already received empathy and warm support from 10 people, and the circle of support is steadily beginning to expand.
Currently, our goal is to double the monthly average of 20-30 units lent out to 40-60 units a month. We still need everyone's strength to deliver equipment to all families in need. With a donation of about 30,000 yen, we can deliver equipment and 'peace of mind' to one family.
As donations to this project are made through the 'Public Interest Incorporated Foundation Chiba WA Regional Development Fund', they are eligible for tax preferential treatment (donation deduction).
With 157 lending records in the first year of the project, an unexpectedly pressing need has become apparent, prompting a full-scale call for support aimed at expanding the lending system.
As donations to a public interest promotion corporation, both individuals and corporations can receive tax preferential treatment.
'Invisible Anxiety' Striking Families After Discharge and the Wall of the System
Supporting the Anxiety of Parents Watching Over Their Children at Home After Discharge
Congenital heart disease is a pediatric disease found in about 1 in 100 births. While medical technological advancements save many lives, the systems to support life after discharge are insufficient.
Especially in severe cases, there are many points to be careful about at home, such as poor weight gain and infection risks, making the measurement of 'oxygen saturation' indispensable for children with cyanotic heart disease.
However, pulse oximeter probes dedicated to infants are expensive and difficult to obtain at general electronics retail stores. With no public purchase or rental support systems, many families exist who 'know they need it but cannot buy it', leaving parents to face anxiety alone at the moment medical support thins out immediately after discharge.
One Year Since Project Launch: The 'Systematic Void' Shown by 157 Records
About one year since the start of the free lending project in February 2025, 157 units were lent annually.
Survey by NPO Heart Kids Japan (from usage records February 2025 - February 2026)
The majority of users are 0-year-olds (approx. 65%): Demand is overwhelmingly high for 0-3 months old immediately after discharge.
The most common disease is congenital heart disease (approx. 36%): Followed by respiratory diseases and families with premature birth/NICU experience, revealing a latent need of 'feeling anxious despite no specific diagnosis'.
The reality has been highlighted that from the day they return home from the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit), parents must watch over their child's condition alone.
Voices from Families: 'I Could Sleep Just Having It on Hand'
The words from the families who used the service speak to the significance of this project.
'It helped me decide whether to go to the ER' (Parent of a 0-year-old)
She is 10 months old but a daughter who hasn't spent more than 3 months at home yet. It was really helpful to be able to judge whether to go to the emergency room with the pulse oximeter.
'She got pneumonia, and I realized its importance' (Parent of a 1-year-old)
My impression is that there aren't many pediatric clinics that measure it. When my daughter caught pneumonia, I realized the importance of the pulse oximeter for the first time.
'No apnea was seen, but I felt a sense of security' (Parent of a 0-year-old)
We didn't actually use it, but having it gave us peace of mind. I sincerely thank everyone who supported us.
As much as we receive comments like 'I was able to use it to check the numbers', we receive comments saying 'I could sleep just having it on hand'. The pulse oximeter is certainly functioning as 'another set of eyes' for families after discharge.
Towards a System Where Society as a Whole Supports Children with Heart Disease
Bringing the 'Socially Supported Medical Care' Seen Overseas to Japan
Representative Director Koichi Sugimoto worked as a pediatric cardiac surgeon in Australia and Canada for about 6 years. Locally, a 'system where society as a whole supports' children with heart disease and their families by collecting citizen donations took root. The desire to create that system in Japan led to the establishment of this corporation.
This project is an initiative to fill the gaps in the medical system. It is a project to create the foundation of a 'society where children who have undergone surgery and their families can live with peace of mind in the community'.
Support Received from 10 People Already in the First Month. To Expand the Circle Further
About one month since the project started at the end of February. We have already received empathy and warm support from 10 people, and the circle of support is steadily beginning to expand.
Currently, our goal is to double the monthly average of 20-30 units lent out to 40-60 units a month. We still need everyone's strength to deliver equipment to all families in need. With a donation of about 30,000 yen, we can deliver equipment and 'peace of mind' to one family.
As donations to this project are made through the 'Public Interest Incorporated Foundation Chiba WA Regional Development Fund', they are eligible for tax preferential treatment (donation deduction).