A Night of Remembrance......

On February 10th Karen Schrah didn’t have much to celebrate as she remembered her son Zachary on his 17th birthday but THE HEART HOSPITAL at Baylor Plano managed to put a smile on this Mother's face especially when she saw the ice sculpture with Zachary's retired football number.

THE HEART HOSPITAL at Baylor Plano hosted a tribute night to Zachary Schrah in honor of his 17th birthday and what a night it was!

The night consisted of several speakers Mr. Mark Valentine, the President of Baylor Plano and Mr. Randy Johnson, Director of Marketing and Mr. Rob Adrian, the Chaplain at Baylor Plano.

There was a special reflection time where Zachary’s dear friend, Andrew Cochran shared stories and memories of Zachary. Zachary’s friends announced name of youth who have also lost their lives due to Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA).

The night continued with a wonderful dinner, video and Dallas Baptist University singers Rachel Cochran/Sydney Anderson perform “How You Live”. Karen Schrah spoke about SCA and the Living for Zachary Foundation. The night wrapped up with Coach Johnny Ringo, The Cullers Family and Randy Johnson speaking with sympathetic but informative words for the Living for Zachary Foundation.

SCA is a silent killer and can strike anyone, the healthy and fit, athlete or not. A very simple cardiac test can be performed can detect the potential for SCA and has a 99% accuracy. The HEART HOPSITAL at Baylor Plano has dedicated a low cost screening in the L4Z name.

Although the year has not been easy for Karen Schrah and her family, she is thrilled that L4Z will be able to save other’s lives and knows that Zachary would have wanted that.

L4Z Sends Shirts To Haiti

L4Z managed to secure passage for an AED on a January 30, 2010 flight carrying medical personnel to Haiti. A few tee shirts were tucked in for the adventure!

During the week prior to January 30, L4Z Director Rhonda Cochran learned her sister’s husband was going on a mission to Haiti with other medical professionals. Tyler Goldberg, an orthopedic surgeon in Austin, led a team of physicians donating their time for emergency relief, with travel provided by a major corporation. Looking over the list of “needed items” Rhonda quickly spotted “AED – Automated External Defibrillator” and knew this was an opportunity L4Z could seize!

Although our mission generally relates to local young people, we trust that L4Z supporters share the concern for the tragedy in Haiti and are thrilled to know that a portion of their support is helping the relief effort. At a rapid pace, we purchased an AED from Heart Safe America, and get it in the hands of Dr. Goldberg. The AED was packed in L4Z shirts and personal sized tissue packs left over from the Southfork Run! Driving from Austin on January 29, the medical team stayed overnight near the Burleson airport from where they’d take off the next morning. Upon arrival at the airport, they found out that the corporate jet taking them to Haiti didn’t have the capacity to also transport the two truckloads of equipment and supplies they’d brought from Austin. Disappointed but determined, a ride for their much needed equipment and supplies was arranged for departure on Monday - from Austin! Before the drivers started their return trip, the medical team stuffed as many essential supplies, medications, etc that they could into their pockets, jackets and shirts. And the AED, donated by Living for Zachary, was crammed in with them!

The team is working at an orphanage in a compound outside the city, and this is where the AED will reside. Photographed are Dr. Goldberg with a one of Haiti's "Local Heros", also pictures is another physician there to help. Dr. Goldberg is photographed with children, some wearing L4Z shirts! This building is the orphanage where the temporary ‘hospital’ operates alongside current residents!

L4z in Haiti

L4Z Featured in Dallas Morning News

L4Z was featured today in the Dallas Morning News. Too many times you see in the news that a young person - with no apparent family cardiac history - and in the prime of life and a picture of health - just like Zachary - are stricken with the silent killer - Sudden Cardiac Arrest. We at Living 4 Zachary are dedicated to learning more about this and preventing cardiac arrest in young people through cardiac screening.

Read the entire article here