BCSS Proudly Supports Heart for Athletes
BCSS Proudly Supports Heart for Athletes who just had its latest free heart screening Saturday, so we think it’s a good time to tell their incredible story. Heart for Athletes is a 501(c)(3) Charitable Trust, which was started in 2014 by the friends and family of Sam Cockrell, from Daphne, AL. In May of 2013, at the age of 16, Sam was a seemingly healthy elite triathlete who unexpectedly suffered from sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). Sam miraculously survived and after extensive testing, was subsequently diagnosed with arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia/cardiomyopathy (ARVD/C). He has been seen by specialists from around the country who are working together to control the arrhythmias caused by his heart condition.
Banner at June 6, 2015 heart screening
The desire of Heart for Athletes is to be a part of the growing trend to perform cardiac screenings on athletes prior to their participation in athletic activities. This service will be provided to athletes in the communities of Baldwin and Mobile, AL, resulting in young lives being saved. Several of the conditions that lead to SCA are detectable, and deaths are preventable.
Because every SCA cannot be prevented, Heart for Athletes also wants to help ensure that our communities are prepared when this emergency occurs. Secondary prevention of SCA involves being ready with a plan of action in place for immediate response. The more people who recognize SCA when it happens, and are prepared to react appropriately with proper CPR technique and AED equipment, the safer our young athletes and our communities will be. Seconds count and any delay in bystander CPR and AED access decreases the victim’s chance of survival.
