The One Shining Moment of March

Published by the Huffington Post

I love this time of year. My colleagues strut around the office pretending to know who is going to win the NCAA Tournament. They spend countless hours on the web studying bracketolgy, only to lose to someone who knows nothing about basketball, but likes the names of some schools more than others. You guys know who you are. Yes, we are in the midst of March Madness.

Despite what the nickname suggests, it isn’t all madness. Some things have become very predictable. You must be at least an eight seed to win. A twelve seed always upsets a five seed. No team has ever gone undefeated and won the tournament. Basketball players are at the greatest risk of sudden cardiac arrest.

It’s true. Heart conditions and sudden cardiac arrest have become just as much a part of the NCAA tournament as Cinderella stories and Big Dances. This year, at least five teams faced this start reality.

Jay Simpson (Purdue) was forced to retire earlier this season due to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).  Justin Moss (Buffalo) was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, but was able to continue playing because he received an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD).  DJ Bowles (Wichita State) collapsed on the basketball court during his freshman year, two years ago, and was forced to retire. DJ actually played along side Carl Hall, another Shocker, diagnosed with a heart condition. Dwayne Polee (San Diego State) was diagnosed with a cardiac arrhythmia earlier this year, but was cleared to return.  Tyler Adams of Georgetown was forced to retire three years ago after discovering a heart condition. He graduates this season.

During this mad month, we are inundated with statistics. However, no one is talking about this one – eight percent of the teams in this year’s tournament could have seen their teammate collapse and die on the court. So why aren’t we hearing more about this threat?

Actually, we finally are. Earlier this month, Dr. Brian Hainline, the first Chief Medical Officer of the NCAA told the world that basketball players, and other high risk athletes, should be required to undergo an EKG exam prior to participating in sports. This is a tremendous development in amateur sport.

For years, professional sports leagues have been checking the hearts of their athletes. Last year, we were reminded about the benefit of this policy. Isaiah Austin (Baylor University) was disqualified from the NBA draft after being diagnosed with Marfan Syndrome. In addition to stories, there is research to show that an EKG, coupled with a physical exam and medical history, is the most effective way to detect heart conditions that can lead to sudden cardiac arrest. They’ve been doing it right for professionally athletes. We are now one step closer to taking care of our student athletes too.

For years, my nonprofit organization, Simon’s Fund, which was founded in memory of my three-month old son, Simon, has provided free heart screenings for students. We find that approximately one out of every 100 students has an undetected heart condition. We are one of many organizations doing this kind of work. Check out Screen Across America to find the others.

In 2013, while Louisville, Michigan, Syracuse and Wichita State were facing off at the Final Four, Simon’s Fund was up the road in Gwinnett County conducting a heart screening with the CardioVascular Group. Earlier that year, two student athletes from Buford, both basketball players, died from sudden cardiac arrest — Jeremy Nelsonand Adam Smith. They will never travel down the road to the Final Four. That’s when we realized the importance of connecting the Final Four to the cardiac safety of our student athletes.

This year, Simon’s Fund will be in Indianapolis with Giving Hearts a Hand, the John Stewart Foundation, Play for Jake Foundation and Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health to provide free heart screenings for high school students in Marion County. Every student who attends the screening at Crispus Attucks Medical Magnet High School will receive a physical exam, EKG and echocardiogram.

If Kentucky goes on to win this year, we will all witness history. It will be the first time that a national champion has gone undefeated in the era of the sixty-four team tournament. However, the one shining moment of this March is clearly Dr. Hanline’s commitment to checking the hearts of our student athletes. Kentucky’s accomplishment will give us much to talk about in the decades to come. Dr. Hainline’s effort will save lives.

Protecting Hearts. Saving Lives.

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Protecting Hearts. Saving Lives.

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Jake Berman

“I attended a heart screening at Colonial Middle School when I was ten. I was in the marching band and liked to hike and rock climb. I was diagnosed with Wolff Parkinson White Syndrome. After my procedure, I kept doing the same things.”

Whitney Jones

Whitney’s commitment to heart health advocacy began at 10 years old when she and her mother, Rayna, were diagnosed with Long QT Syndrome during a Simon’s Heart screening at Downingtown West High School. Despite the diagnosis, Whitney pursued her passion for cheerleading and continued to thrive in the sport through her college years at St. Joseph’s University. After graduating, Whitney joined Stryker Instruments as the Senior Specialist for Off-Site Meeting and Events, where she skillfully orchestrates events that promote health and medical innovation. Further extending her impact, Whitney is an active member of the Simon’s Heart Young Professionals Committee, while her mother Rayna contributes her expertise on the Board of Directors.

Katie Asper

“I attended a heart screening at Upper Dublin High School when I was ten. I played soccer. I was diagnosed with Wolff Parkinson White Syndrome and had an ablation to fix the problem. I attend Temple University.”

Matthew Green

“I attended a heart screening in Mason, Ohio, when I was ten. I participated in baseball, basketball, and diving. I was diagnosed with an atrial septal defect. I had surgery to repair the hole and started wearing a protective shirt during activity. I am graduating from Miami University.”

Valerie Krawitz

“I attended a heart screening at Colonial Middle School when I was ten. I played baseball, soccer, and track. I was diagnosed with Long QT Syndrome and an atrial septal defect. I had heart surgery to repair the hole and I take medicine for the Long QT. I can’t play competitive sports like I once did, but found other activities. Next year, I’m attending Penn State University.”

Drew Harrington

“I attended a heart screening at Radnor High School when I was ten. I played lacrosse, tennis, and basketball. I was diagnosed with Wolff Parkinson White Syndrome. I used to feel my heart beat really fast, but just assumed it was fine. Coincidentally, on Simon’s 7th birthday, I had a procedure called an ablation. Today, my heart is fine and I attend the University of Richmond.”

Alaysia Keeley

“I attended a heart screening at Norristown High School when I was ten. I played softball and enjoyed going to the mall with my friends. I was diagnosed with Long QT Syndrome. I had to stop playing sports and drinking soda. Now, I take medication and live a normal life.”

Kyle McCabe

“I attended a heart screening at Norristown High School when I was ten. I played baseball, basketball, and football. I was diagnosed with Long QT Syndrome. I stopped playing sports to protect my heart, but I still manage to have fun.”

Melissa Fair

“I attended a heart screening at Colonial Middle School when I was ten. I loved dancing and hanging out with my friends. I was diagnosed with Partial Anomolous Pulmonary Venous Return and Atrial Septal Defect. The doctor told me that my life would have been cut short if I hadn’t found out. I’m graduating from Penn State University this year.”

Zach Steffens

“I attended a heart screening at Stillman Elementary School in Tenafly, N.J., when I was fourteen years old. I love running, Tae Kwon Do, and Armenian cultural dancing. I was diagnosed with a rare congenital defect called ALCAPA (Anomalous Left Coronary Artery from the Pulmonary Artery). I had open-heart surgery and recovered well. One month later, I suffered a cardiac arrest and an automated external defibrillator (AED) saved my life. I now have an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) and am healthier than ever. I will be attending The College of New Jersey and majoring in biomedical engineering.”

Annie FitzPatrick

“I went into sudden cardiac arrest at a local convenience store when I was 19 years old. My heart stopped and the only reason I am alive today is because an AED was readily available. I was diagnosed with Long QT Syndrome shortly after and was introduced to Darren and Phyllis with Simon’s Heart. I have been an active volunteer ever since. I went on to graduate Cum Laude from Drexel University with a double major in Business Analytics and Marketing and now work at a leading chemical company.”

Maeve Quinn

"I had a sudden cardiac arrest during softball tryouts at my high school. I was 15 years old. Thanks to the quick thinking of my coach and athletic trainer, they started doing CPR and using an AED immediately. This helped save my life. I had an implantable defibrillator surgically placed in case this happens again. I volunteer to educate people on the importance of screenings, learning CPR and the use of AEDs. Anyone can save a life like mine! I am planning on going to college for nursing."