PLAY FOR PATRICK HEART SCREEN

Description

Play for Patrick, a free cardiac screening for student athletes ages 14 to 18, is being hosted by Cuyuna Regional Medical Center and The Play for Patrick Foundation at Eagle View Elementary School in Pequot Lakes on Thursday, June 20, beginning at noon.

The event is being held in memory of Patrick Schoonover who in 2014 collapsed on the ice after scoring a goal at a Brainerd hockey tournament. First responders were unable to revive him and it was later determined Schoonover had numerous defects that caused his early death. His heart condition was never detected during exams or physicals.

The screening includes family health history, height and weight, blood pressure, EKG, echocardiogram and discussion with a physician. The screening will also include hands-only CPR and AED training in which parents are encouraged to participate.

Following their son’s tragic death, the Schoonover family worked with the University of Minnesota Physicians Heart clinics to educate and inform families about heart defects and to help make heart scans more accessible and affordable. Since 2015, the Patrick Schoonover Heart Foundation completed 15 Play for Patrick youth heart screens, screened 2,736 kids, found 157 with high pressure, 218 with abnormal electrical or structural heart defects, taught 2,512 kids and adults CPR and AED awareness and donated six AEDs to area high schools.

CRMC physicians together with cardiologists from the Minneapolis Heart Institute and numerous CRMC nurses, technologists, physical therapists, exercise physiologists and other staff are volunteering their expertise and time for the screening.