Join The Fight To Prevent Sudden Cardiac Arrest In Our Youth – It’s A Reality!

Procrastination is the bad habit of putting off until the day after tomorrow what should have been done the day before yesterday.
- Napoleon Hill

A quote I came across recently that I want to share to help change that bad habit known as “procrastination”.  Over the course of the past few days we have had two (2) tragic, public  sudden deaths caused by enlarged hearts (Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy – the leading cause of sudden death in all young people).  One is Gaines Adams, defensive end for the Chicago Bears, age 26!    

http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/nfl/news/story?id=4833908

The second tragedy of the past few days was Jeron Lewis, the Southern Indiana Basketball Center, age 21!  (About to become a father.)

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=4829400

Both family, friends, teammates and community left stunned by their early and sudden deaths.  No one interviewed can seem to understand it!  As I have stated many, many times in my blogs, in over 80% of the cases of sudden cardiac arrest, caused by cardiac arrhythmias, the first symptom is “death”.  YET, it is “detectable and treatable” through preventive heart screening, including an electrocardiogram (EKG/ ECG). 

My last blog was taking the time to “smell the roses”.  An appropriate phrase knowing all too well how short life can be.  But when will people sit up and take notice of this insidious disease state that is taking our youth across this country, recognize it and help do something about it?  How many more stories like this do we need to hear and read; not to mention the thousands that you never hear or read about each year?  Now I say, “take the time to get the facts”!  Help those of us out here in this space “screen hearts and save young lives”!

Another great article that came out this week was written by David Epstein of Sports Illustrated.  He lost a dear friend a few years back to a cardiac arrhythmia and is attempting to raise awareness, as well, to this insidious disease.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/david_epstein/01/18/adams/index.html?xid=cnnbin&hpt=Sbin

Again,  remember, once diagnosed, these syndromes are treatable, and individuals with these conditions can have normal life spans and lifestyles.

Please take the time to listen to these two stories and read Mr. Epstein’s article. 

Regardless of where you are in life, get motivated, feel inspired.  Through connection comes “life”!

Our hearts and prayers go out these families, friends and communities along with the thousands of others who have experienced this tragedy and are left in the wake of insurmountable grief. 

Join the fight to prevent SCA in our youth – it’s a reality!