Please sign up to join us at one of our screenings. No medical knowledge is necessary!! Volunteer opportunities listed HERE.
Did You Know?
The WHAT and WHY of an EKG Screening.
Sudden Cardiac Death: Is your School/Team prepared to handle it?
To Date, YH4L has:
* Screened >285,000 Students
*Identified >3,100 students requiring cardiac follow up, many with life threatening conditions
- *Has a false abnormal rate less than 1.23%
- * Continues offering all screenings FREE of charge to students
What we have been able to accomplish with the help of our amazing Donors and Volunteers:
Largest ECG screening program in the United States and recognized internationally as a leader in screening for conditions that can cause Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD).
Performed over 310,000 FREE ECGs to high school and college students since 2006 and have identified more than 3,300 young adults with previously undiagnosed cardiac conditions.
Developed a one-of-a- kind training program that educates community volunteers to perform ECGs.
Trained over 21,500 community volunteers to assist with screenings.
Program screening data utilized to develop international criteria for ECG interpretation.
Conducted education sessions for physicians on how to read ECGs specific to this age group.
YH4L founder, Dr. Joseph Marek, is a member of the international team which developed standards used to evaluate ECGs.
Published research on YH4L screening outcomes.
Provided education to teachers, coaches, and school administrators to prepare an Emergency Action Plan to respond to cardiac emergencies.
Developed a comprehensive screening tool kit which has assisted organizations across the United States in achieving their own successful screening programs.
Gold Heart bereavement group created to provide support and education for parents and siblings who have lost a family member to SCD.
Junior Board composed of over 70 high school students from 18 area schools.
Community Advisory Board developed to provide feedback and guidance to ensure operational success and continued program growth.
Vital Volunteers
The definition of “vital” is often associated with the necessity for life. YH4L Volunteers are, indeed, vital to the life to our program, as well as to the lives of the young adults we screen. All members of our team participate in the YH4L training program to be ready to help at screening events. Many not only help at local high schools but also travel as needed to neighboring communities. No medical knowledge is required to volunteer at our events. We will train you! Please consider joining us!
Essential Sponsorship
Sponsors are essential members supporting YH4L, a not for profit program funded entirely by philanthropy. Our community thanks the generous donors and supporters who have helped provide the ECG screenings to thousands of students each year free of charge. Our sponsors have made a difference in the lives of many students. Hundreds of students lives have been saved. Gifts made to the program are tax deductible as provided by law.
“We never set out to be the biggest—we just wanted to make a difference in the lives of young people. The amazing growth comes because of the energy and commitment of our thousands of volunteers whose only goal is to save lives.”
– Dr. Joseph C. Marek
Stories You’ll Want To Read
Tom
I don’t know how to thank YH4L. I never thought my son had any health problems. If it wasn’t for his football coach, I never would have signed him up for an EKG. The coach told all his players to sign up for the free screening at our high school with Young Hearts for Life. Why would I think anything would be wrong? Tom was perfectly healthy.
I can’t begin to tell you how our life changed that day when I received the phone call from one of your nurses., I don’t think I heard anything after she said that Tom’s EKG showed a condition called Wolff Parkinson White Syndrome. All I could think of is that this couldn’t be happening. He had a full ride to a Division 1 school. How was I going to break this news to him? Were all his dreams gone?
Fast forward a year – I can tell you that Tom is doing great.! Thanks to Dr. Marek and YH4L, Tom is in college and playing football. He had an ablation after his diagnosis and was able to return to working out a few short weeks after the procedure. Tom is here today, because of this program. He could have been that child you read about in the newspaper and say “how sad”. Tom is still a statistic – but a good statistic. He is one of those kids that had a second chance at life because of the YH4L program. I will forever be grateful for this program.
With all our hearts – Thank you YH4L
Tom and his VERY Grateful Mother
David
When I was first approached about David having an EKG through YH4L, my first thought was “why not”. It would be a good baseline. When David was 10 days old, the doctor had run a rhythm strip on him but at that time there was less awareness about diagnosing Long QT, and so, it went undetected.
David had played sports for years and never had any symptoms of any heart condition. He was an active and perfectly healthy 14 year old. When I received a call about his EKG being abnormal, I immediately thought they were calling the wrong person. This was totally unexpected. They had to be wrong. I could not believe what I was being told. Dr. Marek was very diligent and saw David right away. He suggested all family members be evaluated along with having genetic testing completed. At this point, I still thought that they would maybe come back and tell us there was some mistake made and David was fine.
It was ultimately confirmed. David did have Long QT and genetic testing was positive. My younger son, although his EKG was normal, was genetically positive for Long QT. I also had an EKG and testing done. My EKG showed Long QT along with my genetic testing. I took a day to be upset and then realized how lucky we were to have this information. YH4L screening not only lead to David being diagnosed and properly treated, but because of their free EKG, my younger son and myself can also be treated. David is responding well to treatment and back to playing tennis, running, and skiing. I cannot begin to say how grateful I am for Young Hearts for Life and the work they do.
David’s Mom
