Saturday, July 30, 2011

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.

Friday, July 29, 2011

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. 

Thursday, July 28, 2011

2nd Annual Fishing for Hearts Open Team Tournament Update!



2nd 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.



Thursday, July 7, 2011

Knowledge is POWER!

Did you know that Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) kills nearly 300,000 Americans each year? That's about 1,000 people per day. While the number is much lower for youth because of the rarity, it still afflicts people of all ages. It is of utmost importance to be aware of necessary actions. And just like  Frances Bacon quoted - "Knowledge is power"!  Knowing what to do, when to do it and DOING IT is the best way to act if SCA hits.

To know how to prevent a fatality caused by SCA (Sudden Cardiac Arrest), it is also important to know exactly what happens to the heart during the process. There is an electrical disruption in the heart's rhythm and the heart stops beating. Most cases of SCA strikes suddenly and without warning which causes victims to collapse and become unconscious.Without the proper reactions - many die.


In order for a victim to survive is through quick action with CPR and the use of an automated external defibrillator. AED's should be available in public places and bystanders should always be prepared and know the correct way of performing CPR. It is becoming more common that schools are requiring coaches, teachers and athletic trainers be schooled and trained in CPR and AED use.

According to statistics between 5,000-7,000 youth in the United States die from SCA each year. And approximately one (1) youth aged athlete suffers from SCA every three days. Those who have been saved only survived because they were in a high school with an AED program and surrounded by those who knew how to take action.

Living for Zachary completely supports the efforts in installing AED's in schools nationwide and we hope and pray that you take the information and share it with others. For more information about AED programs you can visit www.suddencardiacarrest.org.