Calhoun Colts HS Football Program Raising Awareness for Sudden Cardiac Death & Prevention Screenings

Cause: The most common cause of sudden death in our young people is congenital  abnormalities of the heart and blood vessels that are present at birth, but that usually  produce no symptoms. We have all heard of young athletes, even on Long Island, dying  suddenly, because of an enlarged heart. These deaths are tragic…and preventable. With  the evolution of preventative medicine, quality medical screening programs are now  available to everyone. 

Vision: Calhoun Football Student-Athletes will use their platform to become a voice in our  school, district & community to help educate people on the importance of Cardiac  Screenings. 

Strategy: Calhoun Football student-athletes will create awareness around the Cardiac  Screening themed game and attend community events to educate and spread awareness  for the issue.  

Student-Athletes:  

• Athletes will learn and understand the symptoms and how the screenings can help. They will have mentorship from Dr. Levchuk, the doctor who performs the free screenings at St. Francis Hospital. When asked if he could provide mentorship to the  Calhoun Football student-athletes Dr. Levchuk said, 

“I would be happy to help you and your entire school with that. If need be, I will come  to the school and give a lecture on this, and we can brainstorm ways to raise  awareness. I think it’s outstanding. And I encourage all of the players, and student athletes to come to our free screening.” 

• Athletes will help spread awareness for Cardiac Screenings at the Heart Health Varsity Theme Game on Sat, 9/9/23. Players will help hand out materials and collect donations for St. Francis Hospital Cardiac Screenings. 
• Athletes will attend the Merrick Fair Oct 21-22, 2023. Athletes will man the football booth in jerseys. They will help hand out materials and collect donations for St. Francis Hospital Cardiac Screenings. 
• Discussion around a Charity flag-football game closer to Thanksgiving with proceeds going to the Cardiac Screenings at St. Francis Hospital.

Screenings: https://screening-america.com/sudden-cardiac-death-prevention-screening/ 

** Dr. Levchuk News12 Segment: https://longisland.news12.com/9-year-old-ukrainian-girl-to-receive-lifesaving-heart

 

 

For the theme game on Saturday, two of our JV Colt football players partnered with the Calhoun Medical Club to bring awareness and collect some donations for the Free Screening Program at St. Francis. They set up a tent and had materials that they were handing out.  Football players shared on their social media to bring awareness for the theme game. This was the kick-off event for the initiative.

The next planned event will involve more student-athlete interaction with the community at the Merrick Fair.