Our Beneficiary Criteria
Little Blue Heroes Foundation only considers applications for assistance for families with children between the age of 1- 15 (at time of application), in Ireland, with life-threatening and life-limiting condition(s) that comes under one of the four categorisations set out below:
Category 1 – Severe Genetic and Congenital Disorders
Examples: Advanced-stage cystic fibrosis, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, complex congenital heart defects requiring surgical intervention, Type I or II spinal muscular atrophy.
Characteristics: These are serious, life-limiting conditions present from birth, typically caused by significant genetic abnormalities. They often result in profound physical disability, respiratory or cardiac compromise, and/or severe developmental impairment. Individuals may require intensive and ongoing specialist medical care, frequent hospitalisation, complex surgical procedures, and continuous support for daily living.
Category 2 - Neurological and Neuromuscular Disorders
Examples: Cerebral palsy, epilepsy, severe forms of muscular dystrophy, brain tumours.
Characteristics: These conditions affect the brain, spinal cord, or muscles, leading to significant physical and cognitive disabilities. They often require extensive medical treatment, therapy, and supportive care.
Category 3 - Cancers and Malignant Diseases
Examples: Leukaemia, neuroblastoma, brain tumours, sarcomas.
Characteristics: These are life-threatening due to their aggressive nature and potential to spread throughout the body. Treatment typically involves intensive therapies such as chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery, with significant side effects and long-term health implications.
Category 4 - Chronic and Severe Organ Diseases
Examples: Severe congenital heart disease, chronic renal failure, severe respiratory conditions (e.g. cystic fibrosis-related lung disease).
Characteristics: These conditions involve critical organs and require long-term medical management. They can lead to frequent hospitalisations, complex treatment regimens, and often necessitate organ transplants or other major interventions.
These categories encompass a wide range of serious illnesses that significantly impact children's lives, requiring comprehensive and specialised medical care and support.
Conditions Not Supported by Little Blue Heroes Foundation
At Little Blue Heroes Foundation, our mission is to bring support, joy, and special moments to children facing the most severe, life-threatening genetic and congenital conditions. Sadly, as a small charity with limited resources, we are not able to extend our services to every childhood illness. This means we cannot provide support for conditions that, while they may affect daily life, are not life-threatening or do not require intensive ongoing medical care. We understand the challenges all families face and make these decisions with a heavy heart, but focusing our efforts in this way ensures we can give the highest level of help to those children in the greatest need.
Neurodevelopmental & Behavioural Conditions
(May require lifelong support but not life-threatening)
- Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia
- Global developmental delay without underlying severe medical condition
- Sensory processing disorder
- Tourette syndrome
Mild or Well-Controlled Chronic Conditions
- Mild asthma controlled with occasional inhalers
- Mild to moderate eczema or psoriasis
- Seasonal allergies/hay fever
- Mild, stable scoliosis
- Mild congenital heart murmurs without functional impairment
- Small ventricular/atrial septal defects not requiring surgery
- Mild thalassemia trait or other carrier states without symptoms
- Mild, non-progressive muscular dystrophy variants
- Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes (well-controlled and without severe complications)
Mild blood conditions or disorders such as:
- Iron-deficiency anaemia managed with supplements
- Mild haemophilia or clotting disorders not requiring frequent hospitalisation
- Sickle cell trait without active disease
- Mild platelet disorders with no significant bleeding risk
Temporary or Fully Correctable Conditions
- Simple broken bones or sprains
- Correctable vision issues (e.g., mild myopia, lazy eye)
- Correctable hearing issues (e.g., glue ear, mild conductive hearing loss)
- Uncomplicated appendicitis
- Hernias repaired without complications
- Short-Term Childhood Illnesses
- Chickenpox (after recovery)
- Hand, foot, and mouth disease
- Mild influenza with full recovery expected
- Recurrent but uncomplicated ear infections
- Mild gastroenteritis
Life-Limiting but Not Life-Threatening
(Conditions that may affect daily living but do not shorten life expectancy)
- Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
-Cerebral palsy without severe medical complications
- Mild intellectual disability without progressive medical deterioration
- Certain forms of hearing or vision loss that are stable and manageable
- Diabetes (Type 1 or 2) without life-threatening complications