APPLY TODAY for the Living for Zachary Scholarship Application 2012

Living for Zachary Scholarship Application 2012

For information on the Living for Zachary Scholarship you can visit the Living4zachary.org website or contact your school counselor.


Purpose:
Living for Zachary was founded to raise awareness of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), donate Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs), and promote preventative and corrective measures. Zachary Schrah planned to pursue a profession in the medical industry, and this scholarship honors his memory by supporting students pursuing post-secondary education in the medical profession.

Eligibility:
The scholarship committee will accept and review all submissions, with plans to award scholarships to students from several North Texas senior high schools at the organization’s annual gala in February.


Eligibility requirements are:
• A graduating senior from selected senior high schools
• Enrolling in an accredited undergraduate degree program at a two or four-year university

Requirements:
• Completed application
• Letter of recommendation from at least one teacher

Please complete the application and return it to your counselor’s office by the deadline to be considered for a scholarship in 2012.

Happy Holidays from Living for Zachary

Happy Holidays from the

Living for Zachary

Organization

As we celebrate the birth of Christ,

We wish a joyous season and a blessed new year 

For you and your family

From all of us at Living for Zachary 

Merry Christmas! 

Please join us for the

HeartBeats Education Forum

February 17,2012

Register here

Please join us for a night to remember  

The Living for Zachary HeartBeats Gala - A Tribute to Motown

February 18, 2012

Buy your tickets here

HeartsBeats Gala 2012 - A tribute to Motown!!

As Living for Zachary starts the planning of the biggest Living for Zachary event of the year - we invite you to check out the Living for Zachary Facebook page for pictures of last year's big event. This is going to be a spectacular event again. Please mark your calenders and plan to join us.

Join us for 

“HeartBeats Gala: A Tribute to Motown” 

February 18, 2012 

6:00 p.m.

Omni Dallas Convention Center Hotel

This Living for Zachary black tie event is the annual Living for Zachary fundraiser benefiting the Living for Zachary Organization, whose mission is to raise awareness of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) and promote preventative and corrective measures.

We’re bringing the feel of Motown to you and the more than 750 guests expected to attend this wonderful evening. Exciting live, big board, and silent auction items await your bid. Music by Goga, cocktails, fine dining and dancing to the tunes of Limelight will complete the evening.

Are you interested in becoming a Living for Zachary HeartBeats Gala sponsor?  There are many levels you can help! Ticket sales have begun! Purchase tickets for the HeartBeats Gala by visiting the Living for Zachary HeartBeats Gala page on the Living for Zachary website.

Thank you to our sponsors - D Magazine and THE HEART HOSPITAL at Baylor Plano.

Wonderful silent auction items and big board auction items to come - watch for details! In the meantime, plan to attend this event and get your tickets today, it will be a night to remember!

HeartBeats Educational Forum Friday, Feb. 17, 2012

 

Living for Zachary

HeartBeats Educational Forum

Your Health, It's a Personal Number!

Friday, Feb. 17, 2012

4:00 to 8:00pm

Omni Dallas Convention Center Hotel

 Downtown Dallas

Forum will offer:

• FREE Living for Zachary heart screenings (youth ages 12-22) 

Living for Zachary Heart Screenings are performed by THE HEART HOSPITAL Baylor Plano is supporting Living for Zachary Heart Screenings is  offering non-invasive electrocardiogram and echocardiogram screenings to youth ages 12-22.

• FREE health tests (more than 10 tests to help you determine if your personal number is ideal)
• FREE iPod raffle for those who complete our “Health Test Road Map”
• FREE medical advice from our board of nationally-recognized physicians
• Forum booths hosted by the top medical manufacturers and wellness companies in the world

Please register for the event
Admission is free

Save the Date! 

Keep calm and carry on this holiday season

With the holiday season upon us we tend to get so busy with our life we forget to manage our heart health. With the shopping, the cooking and planning often times we get a bit stressed out. Being stressed and not putting our health first - could be harming ourselves beyond repair.

One of the biggest problems during a holiday season is wearing ourselves out. Becoming mentally and physically exhausted is something that many do. That means, going and not stopping until we get sick. Of course we all get colds and the flu bug - but what damage are you doing to your heart?

Depression is often higher during the holidays whether or not it's financial problems, family problems or grieving for the loved ones we have lost. Remembering is a good thing, as long as it doesn't effect your daily life or daily routines.

Overeating during the holidays can cause some huge issues on your heart as well. Many times as we attend the holiday get-together's we stuff ourselves until we are bloated and cannot do our daily exercise. Also - watch out for the "spiked punch" at the office party which can take a toll on our heart as well.

Watch and check your blood pressure during these busy times as well. The "unexpected guests", the "I need, I want" from the children and trying to keep up with your normal pre-holiday life can get to all of us and that is when your blood pressure can spike causing heart attacks and strokes.

Stay calm and carry on and keep "peace" and control in your life this holiday season - your heart will thank you.

Be Blessed from Living for Zachary

From the family of Living for Zachary~    Thank you for your generous support of the Living for Zachary organization- dedicated to raising awareness of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) in youth.    Your kind heart and generosity has helped Living for Zachary save young lives from SCA by educating the community about the condition and by increasing the placement of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in locations such as schools and youth recreation centers.   Additionally, we continue to screen the hearts of youth ages 12-22. We have screened 800 youth through our "Living for Zachary Heart Screening." "A grateful heart is one that finds the countless blessings of God in the seemingly mundane everyday life".   Anonymous Thank you again, for your commitment to Living for Zachary. We wish you and yours a joyful Thanksgiving full of love and laughter and surrounded by the ones you love. Be blessed,    Karen Schrah and the family of Living for Zachary

Are you and your Doctor asking the right questions at a check-up?

As parents - we often think we are doing all the right things. We take our children  to the Doctor, to the Dentist, we have their immunizations and we even research schools and colleges before sending our kid's away. But many times, we as parent's are not investigation the health of our child like we should.

Are you paying attention when your child is getting their "check up"? Are you asking questions and making sure that the physician knows all they should about your child?

A recent MSN article reports that 28 percent of physicians didn’t always ask if a teen if he or she had chest pain during exercise. 26 percent didn’t always ask about a family history of early deaths from heart related issues.

What does that tell us? You cannot always trust that the physician will do these things, therefore it is up to US as parents to ask our own kid's if they are having any heart issues, chest pain or feeling faint or shortness of breath. This doesn't mean that your physician is a bad physician it means that they really don't even know to ask about heart related issues. It is imperative that you as a parent find out all you can about how your child is feeling and your family history so that you can share this information with your Doctor.

Inquire to your kid's what is going on with them, go the extra mile and dig to how they are feeling, especially after exercise or sporting events. With all the recent deaths and SCA occurrences it is OUR job to have our child's heart screened if our normal physician isn't asking questions.

We encourage you to call 1-800-4BAYLOR today to schedule a Living for Zachary screening for your child today and you won't have to wonder any longer.

Have your heart screened for a possible Heart Murmur

While most are innocent because of healthy valves ~ heart murmurs can reveal some critical information about the health of our heart. Heart murmurs are caused by blood flowing through the different valves of the heart; when one of these is clogged or damaged, the valve becomes overworked trying to compensate which can lead to many serious health problems including heart attack, heart disease and rheumatic fever to name a few.

Problems with the heart valves are typically brought to the patient's attention after a serious heart condition rears its ugly head; however, sometimes the defects in the valves are there from birth.

Most of the negative symptoms of heart murmurs can be treated with surgery. However, more serious conditions including holes in the heart or the hardening of the arteries, a condition called atherosclerosis, must be treated long-term with medication.

As always, take the extra step to check and make sure that your heart, as well as the heart's of your family and friends, is healthy by getting an electrocardiogram (or ECG) or simply have your heart screened at THE HEART HOSPITAL Baylor Plano.  Don't wait until your body brings any heart conditions to the light, be proactive and you could save a life - yours or your loved ones! If you have questions about heart screening - visit the Living for Zachary FAQ page. Even though the Living for Zachary Heart Screenings are only for people 12-22 - visit your cardiologist or THE HEART HOSPITAL Baylor Plano to inquire about a heart screening for you.

Who will be there if SCA strikes you or someone you love..?

Representative Lois Capps read and shared a very well written letter on Wednesday from a 12-year-old Sudden Cardiac Arrest survivor who fell to the ground on her way to PE class last month. Kylee Shea of Frisco, TX insists that a AED an automated external defibrillator saved her life.

"This can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time," Kylee Shea of Frisco, Texas, says in her letter to Representative Lois Capps.

On September 26, 2011 Kylee Shea collapsed in her Frisco school hallway and was revived by two teachers . Kristen Goodgion and Brent Reese. These two wonderful teachers immediately rushed to help Kylee - one performed CPR and the other teacher used the AED on her reviving her heart and bringing her back to life.

Had it not been for these two very well instructed teachers in Kylee's school and the use of a AED and knowing how to use it, Kylee might not be here today to talk about it.

Representative Capps spoke at a Sudden Cardiac Arrest event to continue efforts to put AED's in school and community areas to increase the survival rates if Sudden Cardiac Arrest strikes you or someone you know.

Want to know how you can help? Schedule a “Living for Zachary” screening for your child at THE HEART HOSPITAL Baylor Plano. This heart screening is non-invasive and pain free.

• Make sure your school or workplace has an AED (Automatic External Defibrillator) and people are trained on how to use it.
• Make sure the locations of the AEDs are clearly marked with signs.
• Get certified in CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation).
• Donate to the Living for Zachary organization.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Make the call to THE HEART HOSPITAL Baylor Plano TODAY!

Recently there has been more news about young athletes discovering heart conditions from near-fatal incidents and happenings. Two Texas high school athletes collapsed during football games and another dropped to the ground after running down the court in a Minnesota high school basketball game.

These situations should bring more awareness to how invisible heart conditions in young athletes can be. Even the healthiest of our teens can be susceptible to devastating and potentially fatal happenings of Sudden Cardiac Arrest which equals to Sudden Cardiac Death. So what’s the next step? What can we do?

We aren’t helpless in combating SCA, but realize…it all starts with you. Take advantage of opportunities to get your teen and even yourself as a parent tested by an ECG or EKG. These are not mandatory parts of pre-season physicals for high school athletes, so ensure that you are aware of risks by “opting in” and asking for tests to be done. Living for Zachary can help you by setting up a special L4Z heart screening for you for a small fee of 100.00 at the THE HEART HOSPITAL Baylor Plano.

What’s the risk? The risk is forcing young athletes to give up the sports they love. As frustrating as this can be, the greater risk: your young athlete collapsing on the competition field or practice field or even a school PE class because of a hidden heart defect that potentially YOU could have known about and taken steps to get treatment.

It's not about placing blame or making parent's feel guilty - it's simply about ONE simple thing you can do that could save your child's life. So, don't make an excuse or put it off, just contact THE HEART HOSPITAL Baylor Plano or contact Living for Zachary today at contact@living4zachary.org or call
Phone: Local: 214-514-0368  Toll-free: 877-LVG-4ZAC (877-584-4922).

Share this and help Living for Zachary!!!

This upcoming Saturday, October 22, 2011 is the 3rd Annual 5k /10k/1mile Living For Zachary Heart Run. This highly anticipated event will be held at the The Shops at Legacy in Plano, TX. This event is one of the largest events for Living for Zachary and raising awareness of Sudden Cardiac Arrest.

3rd Annual 5k /10k/1mile Living For Zachary Heart Run
The Shops at Legacy   Plano, TX
Saturday, October 22, 2011

Registration Pricing and Deadlines

Click here to REGISTER!

1 Mile Run/Walk - non timed  $15.00

After registration deadline and same day registration - $20.00

5K Run/Walk - age 13 &up; up  $25

10K Run/Walk - all ages $25.00

Online registration deadline - Wednesday, October 19, at 11:59 pm

After registration deadline; same day registration - age 14 &up; up 
$30

After registration deadline ; same day registration - age 13 & up; under 
$25

After the deadline, we encourage you to register on race day or at one of our
packet pick up locations

Team or Group Registration:

CASH award to largest registered TEAM - 500.00!

Teams of 10 or more will receive 10% discount

 Click here to register

Registration Packet Pick Up Times

Thursday 10/20 and Friday 10/21     10am-7pm

Lukes Locker - Shops at Legacy

5717 Legacy Dr # 180

Plano, TX 75024-4255

(972) 398-8660

View Larger Map

Same day packet pick-up and registration begins at 7am

Race Day Agenda

7:00AM: Race day registration and packet pickup

7:30AM: Jay Johnson Boot Camp warm up

8:00 AM:1Mile Run/Walk

8:30 AM: 5KRun/Walk

8:30AM:10K Run

9:30AM: Award Presentation for Individual and Team

Both casual walkers and speedy sprinters are welcomed!

Course Maps

5K Course Map (certification #10066ETM) - download here

10K Course Map (certification #11100ETM) - download here

Trophy Awards:

Overall Champion and top male and female finisher.

Medals:

Top three male/female finishers in each age group.

Age groups:

14 &under; 15-19; 20-24; 25-29; 30-34; 35-39; 40-44; 45-49; 50-54; 55-59;
60-64; 65-69; 70+

Chip timing is required to be eligible for awards. No duplicate awards given.

Tons of fun for a great cause!  Special thanks to all that have worked so hard to make this event come into place. 

Comparing Apples to Oranges.....

Most already recognize October as Breast Cancer Awareness month, but often times people haven’t heard that October is also Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) Awareness month. The Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association (SCAA) recently launched their new Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Campaign’s with this new slogan:

“Think Sudden Cardiac Arrest is a Heart Attack?

That’s like comparing apples and oranges.”

This slogan comes from new research that suggests that 70% of Americans believe that SCA is a type of heart attack. Every year, more than 250,000 deaths occur as a result of SCA; most attacks come at unexpected times, most recently to young athletes.

The new SCA campaign seeks to increase the awareness of the devastating effects of SCA and to promote action steps for being screened for SCA and learning more about a potentially lethal health issue. Doctors agree that there is no way to prevent Sudden Cardiac Arrest without getting tested for the symptoms of SCA. Help support Living by Zachary in October by having your heart screened and encouraging others as well.

Visit  Living for Zachary for heart screening information and upcoming events for Living for Zachary. 

The story of Emmanuel

University of New Mexico forward Emmanuel Negedu has had his promising career ended because of a heart condition discovered after he collapsed during practice his sophomore year at Tennessee. Fortunately, he will remain on the official roster and is still a member of the team, therefore he won’t lose his scholarship; however, it is important to consider how devastating this news can be for any athlete.

Negedu had an internal defibrillator implanted after his collapse and wanted to continue playing basketball, so he looked for opportunities with any university that would allow him to continue playing--that opportunity came with the University of New Mexico Lobos. In the best interest of his health, UNM coach Steve Alford decided that Negedu will no longer be participating with the team.

This life situation reinforces the severity of Sudden Cardiac Arrest and the importance of having your heart screened or your child's heart screened.  As physically fit as Emmanuel Negedu is, it further demonstrates how SCA could affect anyone. Make the wise choice and visit THE HEART HOSPITAL Baylor Plano for the Living for Zachary Heart Screening. Also you can visit the Living for Zachary website for a complete list of Frequently asked Questions about Heart Screenings.

How long till you have YOUR child's heart screened?

In an article on ScienceDaily.com, Stanford University School of Medicine research reveals that “routine testing of the hearts of young American athletes using electrocardiograms to screen…is reasonable in cost and effective at saving lives.”

This evidence is controversial in that it confronts the issue that electrocardiograms, or ECGs, can be too expensive for schools. The growing debate between whether ECG tests should be mandatory in high school pre-season physicals has been long-standing.  The study was to determine the most cost-effect decision for schools across the country. After examining the cost per student athlete and the lives potentially saved, nearly $40,000 per year could be saved, the study read.

If it meant keeping a loved one alive - wouldn't you push for heart screenings not matter what the cost? Many parent's across the US are now insisting their children have their hearts screened on the heels of all of our children collapsing during sporting events. THE HEART HOSPITAL Baylor Plano is supporting Living for Zachary by offering non-invasive electrocardiogram and echocardiogram screenings to youth ages 12-22.

Offered for $100, this screening package may prove to be invaluable to hundreds of youth in Plano and surrounding communities. Parents can call 1-800-4BAYLOR and request the “Living for Zachary” screening. Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.


Join the Living for Zachary Organization to promote heart screening and heart screening awareness. Please visit the Living for Zachary website for information on upcoming Living for Zachary events, past events and how you can help. Join us for our Living for Zachary HeartRun on October 22, 2001.

Why you need to be at the Living for Zachary HeartRun!

There are so many reasons that we could tell you that you should be at the HeartRun. Other than the fact that doing these types of events is healthy - there are so many other reasons.

October 22, 2011 would be a great day to get out of the house and do something fun. Not only does Living for Zachary have a great warmup before the starting of the run, we also will have games, prizes and a KidZone for the little ones.

Please help honor the memory of Zachary Schrah and other loved ones that have left this earth because of Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA). Festivities will be hosted by Fox 4 News anchor, Mike Doocy.

It won't cost alot of money to be a part of something so wonderful and rewarding as you help raise awareness of Sudden Cardiac Arrest.  You never know when it could affect you or your loved one.

Race information
1 Mile Run/Walk - non timed $15.00
(After registration deadline & same day registration - $20.00)

5K Run/Walk - age 13 &under; $20.00 , age 14 &up; $25.00

10K Run/Walk - all ages $25.00

To Register TODAY for the Living for Zachary HeartRun - click here NOW

Race begins at the corner of Bishop Street and Martin Street at the Shops at Legacy in Plano, TX


Race agenda
7:00 AM: Race day registration and packet pickup

7:30 AM: Jay Johnson Boot Camp warm up

8:00 AM: 1Mile Run/Walk

8:30 AM: 5K Run/Walk

8:30AM:10K Run

9:30 AM: Award Presentation for Individual and Team

Both casual walkers and speedy sprinters are welcomed!

So come on out and enjoy and wonderful day with Living for Zachary!

Important answers about Sudden Cardiac Arrest

In a continuing effort to bring awareness to Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA), we want to take the time to answer some important questions about SCA.

Is SCA a heart attack? It is not unusual to hear people equate SCA with heart attacks; however, the two are very different. SCA can happen to perfectly healthy people whom are caught off guard. A heart attack can be a trigger for sudden cardiac arrest, but the two differ in the effects they have on the human body. SCA leads to death when the ventricles are clogged (not the arteries, like in a heart attack). These ventricles take blood from the heart to the body, and when clogged, little blood escapes leading to brain cells dying rapidly.

SCA couldn’t happen to me, could it? Nearly 200,000 to 300,000 Americans a year die because of sudden cardiac arrest, many of which live healthy and active lives. This is becoming a more prominent issue in student athletes as well. Many Americans have a gene variation that will go on to be harmless; but in some circumstances this will lead to greater vulnerability for SCA.

How can I prevent myself from becoming a victim of SCA? Unfortunately, there is not a proper way to prevent yourself from falling victim to SCA. However, we encourage that you get tested and see if you are potentially vulnerable to SCA or any other heart conditions. Victims of SCA often opt to have automatic defibrillators surgically implanted in order to help regulate heartbeats.

At Living for Zachary we promote heart screenings for anyone but especially children from 12-22. People who have heart disease are at increased risk for SCA. However, most SCAs happen in people who appear healthy and have no known heart disease or other risk factors for SCA.

Living for Zachary encourages you to call 1-800-4BAYLOR today to schedule a Living for Zachary screening for your child today!

The water's right and the weather's perfect - Fish for Zachary on Saturday!

In the words of Brad Paisley, "The water's right and the weather's perfect! No tellin' what I might catch today." Don't let the summer coming to an end keep you from enjoying the things you love! Fish and fish for a cause!!!!

On September 3rd, Living for Zachary and Chynna's Helping Hearts will host the 2nd Annual "Fishing for Hearts” Open-team Fishing Tournament at Lake Fork, Texas.


Our partner, Chynna's Helping Hearts is another organization with a great vision for seeing young adults be more aware of heart conditions and heart screening. The Chynna's Helping Hearts is in honor of Chynna Zmolik, a very special 16 year-old girl with a passion for ballet. Learn more about Chynna's Helping Hearts at: http://www.chynnashelpingheart.org/

Among the sponsors for the 2nd Annual Fishing for Hearts tournament are Dr. Pepper, Lake Fork Sportsman Association, and JC Outdoors!

JC Outdoors is a Christian organization that focuses on providing exceptional events on the beautiful Lake Fork for people to enjoy great company, sportsmanship and community with other anglers.

Enjoy the weather on the beautiful Lake Fork, located about 65 miles East of Dallas and is among the top 10 biggest lakes in Texas. This is no ordinary lake, Lake Fork is a premier bass fishing paradise that is responsible for 34 of the top 50 largest bass ever caught in Texas!

For registration to the Fishing for Hearts Open Team Tournament and more information, visit  - Living for Zachary or register Saturday morning!


"Fishing is a discipline in the equality of men - for all men are equal before fish".  ~Herbert Hoover

It's the beginning of sports - stay hydrated and be aware!

School has started back and our young athletes are playing football, started band, and drill team is outside too. It's so important for parents, friends, coaches and teachers to be aware of an AED or SCA program at their local schools or recreation centers. As parent's - we need to ask where the AED is located, who can administer it and how fast can help arrive in case they need to.

SCA (Sudden Cardiac Arrest) is five times more common in teen athletes with only 1 in 10 surviving. In hot weather it is crucial to be aware of dehydration and heat exhaustion. Dehydration can be risky for anyone out in extreme heat who is also exercising. It will interfere with the heart's main pumping area, the left ventricle. Not having enough fluids can make blood flow problems worse which may lead to fainting or shortness of breath.

There are some things that we can do to prevent any of these fatal SCA episodes from happening. Encouraging heart screenings in your children and teens is proven to prevent 90% of SCA. Being aware of the signals is also important. Be on the look out for fainting or seizures after physical activity, any episodes of chest pain, racing heartbeats or unusual shortness of breath, fatigue, dizziness during or after exercise, or a family history of heart disease. Sometimes there is no family history at all.

Stay on top of your kids - ask how they are feeling. Push the coaches, teachers and parents present to always be fully aware of keeping the kids hydrated and well rested before pushing them too far.

Living for Zachary wishes all the young athletes good luck this season - whatever your sport is!

Living for Zachary - Volunteer Opportunities

Living for Zachary needs your help - Volunteer !

Living for Zachary has several community awareness events scheduled this fall and we need your help! If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering, please let us know which event and time you would like to cover. Please see the list below. Thank you for considering to volunteer!
Contact:  Kim Granger Volunteer Opportunities  kim@living4zachary.org

Living for Zachary Volunteer Opportunities

Allen Sports Authority
Fall Football Jamboree
Lovejoy High or Eagle Stadium
Saturday, August 20, 2011
3:30-5:30 pm
5:30-7:30 pm

American Heart Association Heart Walk
Saturday, September 10, 2011
American Airlines Center
6:30-9:30 am

Murphy Maize Days
Saturday, September 24, 2011
8:30-11:00 am
10:45 am-1:15 pm
1:00-3:45 pm
3:30-6:00 pm

Plano East vs. Plano West Football Game
Friday, September 30, 2011
Clark Stadium
5:30-8:30 pm

Plano East vs. Flower Mound Football Game
Friday, October 21, 2011
Kimbrough Stadium
5:30-8:30 pm

Living for Zachary HeartRun
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Shops at Legacy
5:00 am-8:00 am
8:00 am-11:00 am

Plano East vs. Plano Football Game
Friday, October 28, 2011
Clark Stadium
5:30-8:30 pm

Plano East vs. Lewisville Football Game "Senior Night"
Friday, November 4, 2011
Kimbrough Stadium
5:30-8:30 pm :


Duties could include:
Mostly handing out information on L4Z and screening, selling L4Z spirit wear, set up, clean up, etc. The HeatRun duties are more detailed from registration, spirit sales, kid zone, set up, clean up, etc


If you would like to serve on a Living for Zachary committee for the HeartRun or HeartBeats Gala, please let me know and I will provide additional information.

Save the date for the HeartBeats Gala on Saturday, February 18, 2012 at the Omni, Dallas, TX.

Thank you for your continued support! We would not be able to do this without each of you!

Heat and outdoors can be deadly!

Football season is here! Unfortunately, so is the usual Texas heat. Practices and two-a-days have began in one of the hottest Texas summers in history. With temperatures ranging from 100 to 107 degrees and over 30% humidity, outside during the summertime can be a dangerous place to be - that is why Living for Zachary wants all young athletes to take extra precautions.

Here are some ways you can protect your football star from the heat:

Stay hydrated! It goes without saying. As the heat bears down on us, it causes our body to cool itself by sweating. On a hot day full of physical activity, it is estimated that nearly 8-10% of our body's water can be lost. It doesn't seem like much, but when you consider that 60% of our body is water—it's shocking! Keep hydrated by consistently drinking water and keeping your body fueled with electrolytes that can be found in most sports drinks.

Wear loose clothing! However unflattering it may be, your body needs room to breathe! Wearing loose-fitting clothing will give your body some room to exert the heat and allow it to leave your body; wearing tight-fitting clothing will keep the heat on your body at all times, often times this is one of the main causes of heat exhaustion.

Avoid caffeine! Ever wondered why the more coffee you drink, the thirstier you are? Caffeinated drinks like sodas and coffee are some of the fastest ways to dehydrate your body! In the Texas summer heat, make sure to monitor how much soda your football players are taking in and encourage them to drink more water. A good rule of thumb—for every soda, drinks two glasses of water.

Be smart! Texas is the land of football... so enjoy the preparations before the upcoming season! However, do so with caution. Spectators should bring umbrellas and cooling hand-fans to scrimmages and games, and players should continue to hydrate and take rest time as needed. Don't let the heat beat your team! Being smart and heart smart can help your players stay hydrated, healthy... and hopefully win a championship and win it for Living for Zachary!

Save a life, one heart at a time at Living for Zachary

Our mission at Living for Zachary has always been to raise awareness of  Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) and help save lives. We want people as well as communities to become involved in events and promote youth heart screenings. Let us tell you how you can support us...

We always have events that need your input. If you are interested in helping Living for Zachary -  whether it be your time or becoming a Living for Zachary sponsor there is a form located on our site that can be e-mailed or faxed directly to us. You would be helping us with our fundraising efforts to award students with the L4Z scholarship and by donating AED's to schools. We also support the Living for Zachary screening program offered at THE HEART HOSPITALBaylor Plano.

We also have a donation page that keeps us going. It is such a great surprise when we receive donations, regardless of the amount. It takes a special person to think of others and is willing to help with a wonderful cause. Our Living for Zachary team appreciates each and every one of you that think of us!

There are so many Living for Zachary activities and upcoming events that we participate in just to spread the word on SCA. Even if you are not directly connected to Living for Zachary  please pass information to just one person the facts of SCA, you could be saving a life. That is a HUGE accomplishment! Save a life, one heart at a time.

Like Us, Tweet about us - share Living for Zachary!

Everyone has a Facebook or a Twitter page these days! And we all know its an excellent way of sharing information... even health related knowledge.

With a new generation being so technologically involved we think it's a great idea for them to also get involved in spreading the word about sudden cardiac arrest (SCA).

Recently it has been noticed on Facebook that people will show support of a cause by making a post concerning that particular association. If we all had one day that we shared info on SCA could you imagine how many people we could reach and share information with?

On average a person on Facebook has 130 friends. If you posted that you are in support of learning about SCA or your support AED programs in schools your 130 friend could all tell their own 130 friends. The same is true for Twitter, the average person as 127 followers.


It is also becoming more common for associations like the American Red Cross or the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation to create a fan page. This allows us all to have another outlet of information in order for us to education ourselves on the importance taking action if someone goes in to SCA. They can give you instructions on how to perform CPR or how to use an AED, also they provide us all with resources for better education and further information.

Living for Zachary has its own page on Facebook that we hope you will check out! We provide you with educational blogs as well as links our benefits that we participate in year-round. Please also visit our site at www.living4zachary.org.

We also will be posting updates and information on the Living for Zachary Upcoming Events!  Stay Tuned and give us the BIG THUMBS UP when you like something. 

2nd Annual Fishing for Hearts Open Team Tournament Update!

2^nd Annual Fishing for Hearts
Open Team Tournament

September 03, 2011 Lake Fork, Texas Register for the tournament - click here Become a sponsor  -  click here Official Tournament Rules  click here HOST MARINA: The Minnow Bucket Marina $5,000   Guaranteed 1st Place Payback 1 in 6 entries $180 Team Entry includes Big Bass Open Tournament to All Anglers Except Professional Anglers (Subject to Polygraph) Top 3 highest placing teams fishing with a Junior Angler age 17 or under will receive a special bonus payout. 1st-$750 2nd $400 3rd $200  First Cast @ 6:30AM / Last Cast @ 2:30PM Off Limits begins at 8:00PM Friday Evening Prior to the Event SAMPLE PAYOUT BASED ON 100 PAID ENTRIES 1. $5000 7. $425 13. $275 2. $1500 8. $400 14. $250 3. $1000 9. $375 15. $225 4. $625 10. $350 16. $200 5. $550 11. $325 6. $450 12. 300 BIG BASS: 1st Place: $500 2nd Place: $250

Fishing for Hearts was created to raise funds for two organizations that exist to fight for our children’s hearts!

Living for Zachary began after the world lost a true gift – 16-year-old Zachary Schrah – who died of Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) after a routine workout with the Plano East Panther Football Team. Zac, a varsity football player with no personal or family history of heart disease, was the picture of health.

Chynna’s Helping Heart was founded after Chynna Zmolik – also 16-years-old – died after open heart surgery to correct a coarctation of the aorta, a birth defect found only 2 weeks prior to her death. She was a life-long dancer and the incoming varsity mascot for the Forney Jackrabbits. Chynna was also the picture of health.