NPR by Joe Neel

The sudden death of several prominent young athletes has drawn attention to the problem of silent heart disease. Studies are under way to determine who is at risk.

The problem of undetected heart disease in young athletes came to prominence in 1990 with the death of Hank Gathers, 23, then an All-American basketball star at Loyola Marymount University. He collapsed on the court during a game with the University of California, Santa Barbara, and died shortly thereafter. He had been treated for an abnormal heartbeat, but after his death, a medical examiner found that he had suffered from cardiomyopathy, an enlarged heart.

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This past week, a young man was playing basketball when he collapsed and died at the Hank Gathers Recreation Center in Philadelphia.  Gathers was a college basketball star at Loyola Marymount University.  He collapsed and died during a game.

It is a tragedy that young Akhir Frazier died this week.  It is a tragedy that a building that bears the name of Hank Gathers was host to such a tragedy.  How many lessons do we need to learn before we start taking steps to protect our childrens’ lives?

By TED SILARY
Philadelphia Daily News

WHILE COACH Dan Brinkley, of Prep Charter High, is positive Akhir “Geedy” Frazier would have played basketball at the Division I level, now those thoughts are secondary.

“I’m much more fortunate to have met him than to have coached him,” a sobbing Brinkley said yesterday. “This was one great kid. For all the people who knew him, this is hitting us like 9/11.”

Frazier, 16, a rising junior combo guard, died late Wednesday night at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, 4 days after removing himself from a neighborhood league game at Hank Gathers Rec Center, 25th and Diamond, and collapsing into the arms of that team’s coach as he approached the sideline.

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I’m sure that you’ve made so many decisions for your child . . . . what to eat . .  . when to go to bed . . . whether to play soccer or take piano lessons or both.  Hopefully, you’ll never have to make the decision that a friend of friend had to make this week – to pull the plug on their 16 year old son.

He was playing basketball with some friends.  He collapsed in the midst of having fun.  He never regained consciousness.  With no brain function, his parents made the terrifying decision to stop life support.  

Sudden cardiac arrest kills thousands of children every year.  Many of them are engaged in athletic activity.  Most of them have no idea that they have a heart condition. 

We can change that.  Italy did.  They started providing ECG exams for all of their kids.  As a result, they reduced the incidents of sudden cardiac arrest by 89%. 

Has your kid received an ECG exam?  It costs less than $50.  I bet she’s had a hearing exam or eye exam.  Has your kid ever fainted?  That’s the primary warning sign of a condition that leads to sudden cardiac arrest. 

Please add this to the decisions that you make for your child – get their hearts checked.

With young athletes returning to playing fields in time for preseason practice, now is the time to ensure parents, coaches, administrators and others are well educated on injury prevention to ensure safe and successful seasons. With nearly 7 million high school students participating in sports today, there are a reported 715,000 high school sports-related injuries experienced each year, and 8,000 children are treated in emergency rooms each day for sports-related injuries.1

According to a National Council of Youth Sports 2008 survey, over 40 million young athletes ages 6-18 participate in organized youth sport activities. Recognizing this trend of participation, and to reduce the risk of injury, the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) offers a number of suggestions to ensure a safe and healthy environment.

“It is so important that young athletes are physically and mentally prepared for the start of the sports season, said Brian Robinson, ATC, chair of NATA’s secondary school committee. “Educating parents and school personnel about ways to help children avoid common sports-related injuries is a top priority. And, nothing is more frustrating to the athlete, his or her team and family, than for an avoidable injury to occur and sideline him or her from play.”

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Wednesday, August 04, 2010
By Jessica Ryen Doyle

As millions of teenagers get ready to go back to school this month, Jim and Sheila Fisher are urging parents to be extra vigilant when setting up their children’s school or athletic physicals.  As millions of teenagers get ready to go back to school this month, Jim and Sheila Fisher are urging parents to be extra vigilant when setting up their children’s school or athletic physicals.

Two years ago, the Fishers’ son, Sean, died suddenly of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM, an abnormal thickening of the heart’s walls.

Sometimes referred to as sudden death syndrome, the genetic condition often goes undiagnosed because most people who have it lead normal lives without signs or symptoms. For some patients, the first symptom literally is death.

Two years ago, the Fishers’ son, Sean, died suddenly of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM, an abnormal thickening of the heart’s walls.

Sometimes referred to as sudden death syndrome, the genetic condition often goes undiagnosed because most people who have it lead normal lives without signs or symptoms. For some patients, the first symptom literally is death.

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Simon’s Fund receives “Great Friend to Kids” award

The Great Friend to Kids Award was initiated in 1991 by the Association of Children’s Museums to honor individuals who have made outstanding contributions toward strengthening education for children. Fred Rogers and Marian Wright Edelman are among the past National Great Friend to Kids Award winners. Please Touch began presenting its own award in 1996 to coincide with the museum’s 20th birthday. Past winners include the Philadelphia Eagles Youth Partnership; Sheryl Leach, creator of Barney; Alex Scott, Founder of Alex’s Lemonade Stand; the Phillie Phanatic; the Philadelphia Mural Arts Program; Carolyn Johnson, Founder and Executive Director of the National Adoption Center; NBA All-Star Dikembe Mutombo; Carter and Pat Merbreier of Captain Noah and His Magical Ark, and Anne Hamilton, philanthropist.

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FARMINGTON — Heart problems often can blind side individuals who never thought they had a heart illness, and often times those problems can come to light during athletic activity, according to Dr. Charles Wilkins, a cardiologist at San Juan Regional Medical Center.

On Saturday, more than 50 adolescent athletes underwent free cardiac screenings at SJRMC as part of the hospital’s “Play with Heart,” campaign.

The 50 athletes had to claim a spot for the event prior to Saturday and Roberta Rogers, the marketing manager of SJRMC, said there was even time to squeeze in a few walk-ins.

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Cardiac conditions don’t just affect the elderly and unfit – even young, fit and healthy cyclists can be affected. Could it be worth taking a little test?

This March, 26-year-old former world solo 24-hour mountain bike champ and journalist James Williamson was riding in the Cape Epic stage race in South Africa when he died of a previously undiagnosed genetic cardiac condition.

The Australian’s death isn’t as isolated an incident as you might think. British cyclist and coach John Ibbotson died of a genetic heart condition in 2005, Adrian Hawkins had just been selected for the GB Cycling Squad for the Barcelona Olympics in 1992 when he died of cardiac failure, and in 2007 Danny Bennett, member of the French cycling team Charvieu Chavagneu, died of a heart attack caused by a heart condition called myocarditis. These are just a handful of the athletes who have lost their lives to cardiac failure, all of them young and ?t.

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When we purchased Simon’s Fund Sex and the City II package offered at Simon’s Day, we were confident of two things. First, the money was going to an amazing cause, one that is dear to our hearts, and will be spent to help safeguard the lives of children in our region. Second, we will have a great time celebrating Jill’s special birthday together. What we were not prepared for was what an unbelievable experience we were about to have!

After checking in to the Ritz Carlton on Central Park South for two nights to a club room overlooking the park, we were chauffeured by the hotel to the premiere. We were ecstatic to find that our seats were up front, at the center of all the excitement. We were surrounded by A-list celebrities (Donald and Melania Trump, Jerry and Jessica Seinfeld, and Gayle King to name a few), with everyone decked out for New York City’s premiere of the year!  

After the movie was introduced by its producers and by Sarah Jessica Parker, we were shuttled in movie themed double-decker bus to the after-party.  The party was magnificent, an outdoor Moroccan themed party, with delicious food, and, of course, the best Cosmopolitans we have ever tasted.  We were right in the center of all of the excitement, with opportunities to speak at length to many celebrities.  We took every opportunity to discuss Simon’s Fund and felt extremely proud to promote the cause.  The experience far exceeded both of our expectations. The entire evening was unforgettable and only outshined by the knowledge that our enjoyment helped to support a wonderful, amazing cause.