CDH Australia:
CDH Australia

Australia's only charity supporting families facing Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia by providing resources, support groups, mental health assistance, care packages, and financial aid, ensuring no family copes with CDH in isolation.

ABN: 60131315145

Founded on ,
registered as a charity on the
ACNC Charity Register
since .

How This Charity Supports the Community

CDH Australia is the nation’s sole charity dedicated to supporting families affected by Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH), a serious birth condition where a hole in the diaphragm allows abdominal organs to move into the chest cavity, impacting lung development. Established in 1999 by Danielle Kessner after her personal experience with CDH, the organisation aims to ensure that no family faces CDH alone. It has grown into a strong, connected community of families, survivors, bereaved parents, and medical professionals across Australia.

Mission and Vision

The core mission of CDH Australia is to provide support, information, and connection to families navigating the challenges of CDH. The organisation envisions a future where every family affected by CDH has access to the resources and community they need to face the condition with strength and hope.

Main Objectives

  • Offer emotional and practical support to families from diagnosis through treatment and beyond
  • Raise awareness and understanding of CDH within the broader community and medical field
  • Facilitate connections between families, survivors, and healthcare professionals
  • Advocate for research and improved care for those affected by CDH
  • Provide financial assistance to alleviate burdens associated with CDH

Benefiting Groups

  • Families with a child diagnosed with CDH, including expectant parents
  • Children and adults living with CDH
  • Bereaved families who have lost a child to CDH
  • Medical professionals seeking to improve CDH care

Services and Activities

  • Support Groups: Private online Facebook groups for peer connection and sharing experiences
  • Resource Library: Fact sheets and educational materials to help families understand CDH
  • Mental Health and Wellbeing: Access to resources and referrals to support emotional health
  • Care Packages: Comfort packages for newly diagnosed families and bereaved parents
  • Financial Support: Assistance to help with essential household expenses related to CDH
  • Community Engagement: Fundraising events, volunteering opportunities, and awareness campaigns
Take a Look at Their Work

Explore the Work of CDH Australia Through Images and Stories

Discover how CDH Australia creates safer communities through their work. Visit their social media channels to follow their daily efforts, updates, and inspiring stories making a real impact.

All photos and videos are © CDH Australia and have been sourced from their official website.

What is CDH? Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Explained

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a hole in the diaphragm babies are born with, causing bowel to move into the chest. The cause is unknown and not parents’ fault. In Australia, 75-80% of babies survive. It requires specialised intensive care, surgery and long-term follow-up, with excellent outcomes expected for most survivors.

© CDH Australia. View video in a new window.

Get Involved & Make a Difference

See FAQs about donating to CDH Australia:

How can I make a donation to CDH Australia?

Donations can be made through their secure donation platform. You have the option to donate amounts such as $10, $25, $50, $100, $200, $500, or $1000. Please remember that donations over $2 are tax-deductible and will be automatically receipted. Should you require further assistance, you can contact them at hello@cdh.org.au.

What is CDH Australia funded by?

CDH Australia is funded entirely through the generous donations and fundraising of their supporters. With these funds, they are able to support families, fund research, create educational content, and deliver hope.

What does my donation help with?

Your donations help fund research projects to improve outcomes for babies born with CDH, deliver CDH care packs to families, provide financial assistance to affected families, produce educational content, manage online support groups, facilitate CDH forums, and host awareness and fundraising events.

Is my donation to CDH Australia tax-deductible?

Yes, donations over $2 to CDH Australia are tax-deductible, and receipts are issued automatically.

Why is awareness for CDH important?

Awareness for CDH is important because it is still a mostly unknown condition that affects approximately 120 new Australian families each year. By increasing awareness, more families can receive the support and resources they need.

How can I contact CDH Australia for more information?

For more information, you can contact CDH Australia via email at hello@cdh.org.au.

Dedicated Volunteers Supporting Families in Need

CDH Australia is guided by a dedicated team of passionate volunteers who play a crucial role in the operation of this national charity. These volunteers are the backbone of the organisation, ensuring it continues to support families facing CDH. Their contributions are invaluable, as the charity relies heavily on their efforts to keep functioning smoothly.

Although there are no specific volunteer requirements or positions available at present, those who are interested in getting involved should keep an eye on this web page for future opportunities. Potential volunteers with a strong commitment to helping families are encouraged to express their interest when opportunities arise.

Volunteer Requirements - Working with Children

As this charity works with children under 18 years of age, the organisation requires all volunteers to obtain a Working with Children Check (WWCC) before commencing any volunteer activities.

This is a mandatory requirement to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the children in their care.


Visit CDH Australia’s official website to explore volunteering opportunities and how you can get involved.

Contact CDH Australia and Follow Their Work

Follow this charity on their social media channels. Stay updated with the latest news, events, and inspiring stories to see how they make a difference every day.

This charity intentionally withholds its physical address. The only available contact details are as follows:

Source of information and last update date:

The information on this profile has been sourced from the ACNC Registered Charities dataset and the organisation’s own website.
The last review was completed on .
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