Please take 2 minutes of your time to read and sign this petition for James and other families struggling with sudden cardiac death.

(Please do not donate to the website, as it has no funds going towards any events we are having for him)

Where the System Falls Short:

Many young athletes are at risk for sudden cardiac death due to undiagnosed heart conditions that often show no warning signs. Standard physicals to be cleared for sports are not designed to detect these issues.

One of these conditions is Arrythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy or ARVC. A genetic heart disease that affects 1 in 2,000 to 1 in 5,000 people. The heart muscle is replaced by fat and fiber, leading to dangerous heart arrhythmias that increase sudden death, especially in young athletes. It's typically identified through an EKG, genetic testing and an MRI. Without these tests, students may appear extremely healthy without knowing they're facing a life threatening risk.

I lost my 14 year old brother to ARVC. His condition went undetected, and by the time it was discovered, it was too late. This loss wasn't just traumatic, it was also preventable. 

The Solution:

• A one time genetic test to identify inherited cardiac conditions
• A heart echocardiogram every 2 years
• An electrocardiogram (EKG) every 2 years

Why This Matters:

Early detection of heart diseases can save lives. These screenings not only help doctors to identify dangerous heart conditions before they become fatal, but also help families learn if and how to take precautionary measures they might not have known they needed to take prior to testing.

While expanding screening requirements may involve additional costs, the cost of inaction is far greater. No family should have to face the loss of a child, especially a loss that could've been prevented.

What You Can Do to Help:

By signing this petition, you stand with families like mine who have lost loved ones to undetected heart conditions and help bring attention to these preventable tragedies.  Requiring more thorough cardiac screenings will save lives and honor the ones lost to silent conditions like my amazing brother James.