(Phoenix, Arizona March 04, 2010) Every three days, another
“perfectly healthy” child athlete dies from Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) while playing sports, marching with the
band, or even following Physical Education class. Avoiding those heart-breaking deaths is possible with a simple heart screening.
Free heart health screening of all students and athletes ages 12 to 22 are possible through the Anthony Bates Foundation (ABF).
Sharon Bates, whose 20-year old college football-playing son died from an SCA,
helps parents avoid the heartbreak she and other parents have experienced with the free heart screenings on Saturday, April
17, between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., at Willow Canyon High School, 17901 W. Lundberg St. in Surprise. Anthony’s death
could have been avoided had this free screening program been available ten years ago. In the eight years of conducting the
free screenings, consistently, one out of ten student athletes are found with a detectable, serious, curable heart condition.
The painless, fast screenings check children for heart
conditions leading to Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA).
Too many times the news media carry stories of an apparently
healthy student athlete dying on the playing fields. This parental nightmare becomes even worse with the knowledge that the
cause of death is detectable, and lives can be saved with advanced knowledge and sometimes simple lifestyle changes. Knowledge
is the power to prevent SCA. Appointments for specific times may be reserved at www.AnthonyBates.org, the Foundation’s Web site. Pre-registration is required.
The Surprise screening will be a host to many Heart Healthy
exhibits during the event at Willow Canyon. Community organizations, including Surprise Fire Department, will come together and
offer safety, and heart health information in support of the work of the Anthony Bates Foundation.
One in ten students screened have undetected heart abnormalities
requiring further evaluation or medical care according to the ABF screening results from over 6,000 students and student athletes.
The leading killer of young athletes is a condition called Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) or
“enlarged heart.” The Anthony Bates Foundation targets young athletes to help prevent these unnecessary deaths.
Every two days, another student athlete dies on the playing field. With its cadre of sponsors, volunteers, and volunteer nurses
and cardiac physicians, the Foundation and Banner Health Hospital volunteers are performing for free the normally $1,600 echocardiogram
(ultra sound), a $500 Electrocardiogram (EKG) with a physician review.
Donations and sponsors help
offset screening costs for the Foundation. The Foundation pays $75 for each heart screen. While there is no charge for the
child heart screenings at this event, a voluntary tax-deductible contribution to the Anthony Bates Foundation of just $30
helps fund screenings for more children. Contributions made April 17 at the Heart Health screening will allow the purchase of two
portable Automatic External Defibrillators (AED); one for each of the two schools with the highest school percentage participation
at the screening event. Just go to www.AnthonyBates.org to donate, or provide your contact information for the screening event in Surprise. AEDs have
saved countless lives across the country, and several recently at Sky
Harbor Airport where AEDs were
installed in 2008.
The screening process includes
a comprehensive questionnaire filled in by parent and student, followed by a discussion of the answers between the child and
a medical professional. Next the student receives a Blood Pressure check, and a non-invasive Electrocardiogram (EKG). Finally, the child is given the painless ultrasound imaging of the heart. These results
are reviewed by a volunteer cardiac physician, and discussed with child and parent. In the ten percent of the cases where
a problem is found, the family is referred back to their primary care physician for further evaluation, referral, or treatment.
Anthony Bates, former Phoenix
Mountain Pointe High
School and Phoenix Community College
athlete, died in 2000 following a routine morning workout with the Kansas
State University football team.
He was found to have had a detectable, enlarged heart, a health condition for which he was never screened. Founded after his
death to help prevent other parents from experiencing a similar tragedy, the Anthony Bates Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit
corporation.
For more information, please contact Sharon Bates at 602-482-5606.
WHO:
ANTHONY BATES FOUNDATION
WHAT:
FREE CARDIAC SCREENING TEST
WHERE:
WILLOW CANYON HIGH SCHOOL
17901
W. LUNDBERG ST., SURPRISE, AZ
WHEN:
SATURDAY, APRIL 17, 2009 10:00 A.M – 4 P.M.
WHY: TO
SCREEN FOR UNDETECTED HEART PROBLEMS AND HCM
