A series of youth heart screening events are being held in Frisco and Plano this month, hosted by the nonprofit Living for Zachary.
The nonprofit was created in honor of founder Karen Schrah’s son, Zachary. According to NBC 5 News, Zachary passed away at 16 after going into sudden cardiac arrest and collapsing during football practice at Plano East High School.
Schrah said that Zachary’s death was sudden as he was an active athlete who showed no signs of a heart condition.
“We didn’t even think about that as he played baseball and football. We just had no idea, and it came very sudden,” she added.
Some months after Zachary died on April 2, 2009, Schrah established Living for Zachary. The nonprofit aims to provide heart screening as well as AED donations and CPR/AED certification classes for Texas residents.
Living for Zachary has also awarded scholarships and organized awareness events for youths across Texas.
According to its website, thousands of youths have benefited from its offerings.
Schrah explained that the nonprofit’s primary purpose is to save lives. She believes that Zachary would not have died if such a program had been available then.
“We are saving lives. We have saved lives with the AEDs we have donated and the heart screenings. Zach’s life could have potentially been saved had there been the same program in place for him,” she said.
The event in Frisco will be held on April 16 at Frisco ER, located at 12600 Rolater Road, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The event in Plano is set to take place on April 23 at the Collin County Association of Realtors, 6821 Coit Road, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
All screenings will be provided for free.
