The Living for Zachary Wish Board 2016

Click here to donate an AED to a facility above or to your choice!
Questions about the AED Wish Board, contact mark@living4zachary.org

What is a Living for Zachary HeartBeats Gala?

What is a Living for Zachary HeartBeats Gala?

The HeartBeats Gala is a two-day annual event in Dallas, TX held during February, American Heart Month. Proceeds from the HeartBeats Gala benefits Living for Zachary (L4Z) whose mission is to raise awareness of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) in youth. In three short years, the HeartBeats Gala has attracted more than 2,500 attendees, 50 corporate/private sponsors and has raised more than $1 million.

The first event is the HeartBeats Health Fair which is a free event offered to the general public to learn more about their heart health. Each year the HeartBeats Health Fair offers free Living for Zachary Heart Screenings for youth ages 12-22 – includes an echocardiogram, electrocardiogram and blood pressure check, free health tests to determine your personal health numbers, free medical advice from a board of nationally-recognized physicians, CPR and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) awareness demonstrations, booths hosted by world-renowned medical manufacturers and wellness companies and heart healthy cooking presentation and tasting with free food and drinks. In 2013, Living for Zachary received a proclamation from the Dallas Mayor, Michael Rawlings, stating that Friday, February 15, 2013 is ‘Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Day’.

The second event is the HeartBeats Gala which is a black tie affair offering cocktails, fine dining, live and silent auction, and live music.  In 2013, a wine pull was added to the night’s events to provide attendees the opportunity to purchase fine wines donated from the cellars of top wine connoisseurs. Every year, the HeartBeats Gala hosts approximately 1,000 business and community leaders, physicians and members of the medical community and strong L4Z supporters.

2011
HeartBeats Gala: Bright Lights, Broadway Nights
February 19, 2011
Marriott Plano at Legacy Town Center
Honarary Chairs:  Mark and Janet Valentine

2012
HeartBeats Gala: A Tribute to Motown – February 18, 2012
Education Forum – February 17, 2012
Omni Dallas Hotel
Honorary Chairs: Dr. David and Susan Brown
Mark and Janet Valentine

2013
HeartBeats Gala: Unforgettable – February 16, 2013
Omni Dallas Hotel
Honorary Chairs: Mac and Stephanie Brink
Dr. David and Susan Brown
Education Forum – February 15, 2013
Omni Dallas Hotel
Honorary Chairs: Mark Gonzales

2014
HeartBeats Gala – February 8, 2014
Hilton Anatole Hotel
Honorary Chairman: Brian Ellard
Education Forum – February 7, 2014
The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano
Honorary Chairs: Mark Gonzales and Judy Daust

2015
HeartBeats Gala – February 28, 2015
Hilton Anatole Hotel
Honorary Chairmen: Ches Williams and Richard Baker
Education Forum – February 20, 2015
The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano
Honorary Chairs: Mark and Judy Gonzales

2016
HeartBeats Gala- February 13, 2016
Hilton Anatole Hotel
Honorary Chairs: Brian and Ornella Ellard
Physician Chairs: Dr. Bruce and Erin Gordon
HeartBeats Health Fair- February 4, 2016
Children’s Medical Center Plano

Save the Date! HeartBeats Health Fair Thursday, February 4, 2016

Save the Date for the Living for Zachary HeartBeats Health Fair 2016! This wonderful life saving event will be held on Thursday, February 4, 2016 from 5-9pm at the Children's Medical Center in Plano, TX.

Take a look what all went on last year at the Living for Zachary HeartBeats Health Fair 2015 -
Click here to see our pictures!

Improve your life and be thankful....

Living for Zachary would like to wish everyone a:
Happy Thanksgiving and say Thank You to those that have been a part of Living for Zachary this year and shared in all of our events.

Thanksgiving is a great time to say thank you to all people in your life that make you happy or have made you a better person.

There are so many ways to say thank you and learning to say it is a huge part of good relationships.

• When you show thankfulness make sure to recognize and point out one's strength's to them. If there is something good about someone, tell them then, don't wait.
• Always be kind and gentle. Try not to be hurtful or hateful. A sharp tongue can certainly get the best of anyone. Words hurt so try and think before speaking.
• Just be appreciative for big and small things. Take a look at all the things in your life, even the small ones and just be thankful.
• Be positive, not negative - dwelling on harsh and negative feelings are dangerous. Living with bitterness and being unforgiving feelings can harm the soul.
• Try not to worry and be insecure, it's hard we know, but being insecure can damage relationships as fast as they began.
• Improving your own behavior in life will help fulfill relationships in your own life-making your life better and able to show thankfulness and appreciation more. Talk kinder, be more approachable and touch lives around you.

Again, Living for Zachary would like everyone to know how appreciative we are for all the Volunteers, sponsors, friends and family members that have been a part of Living for Zachary and helping to bring awareness to Sudden Cardiac Awareness and Heart Screening.

So remember as Robert Brault has been quoted:
"Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things."

What habits will you kick?

There’s a saying that goes, “Old habits die hard.” Well, there might be some truth to that. Most of us have old habits that we know aren’t the best for us, they might diminish our overall health, impair us from reaching our goals or have a negative effect on those around us.

Specifically speaking, what about the old habits that hurt your heart? Do you know which habits are bad on your body and how to fix them? Check out some common bad habits below with recommendations on how to kick the habit for good!

• Not committing to exercise
• Exercise is essential for a healthy life, and not committing to a exercise routine or plan can make hurt your long term health. Instead of setting high goals right out of the gate, shoot for something lower and as you build momentum and consistency in your workout regimen, raise your goals.
• Watching TV
• Ever heard of the term “couch potato”? Doesn’t sound appealing, does it? Avoid sitting in front of the TV for hours at a time because research suggests a connection to hours of inactivity and a higher risk for heart attack and stroke.
• Stressing over the small things
• How you handle stress can have a direct effect on how your heart operates. Learn do not internalize emotions and set up avenues to talk through emotions and feelings with a close friend or companion. Learning to de-stress can add years on your life!

So get out there, get active and try and live a stress free life. Consider your heart health and enjoy all the years to come!

How much do you know about heart disease and prevention?

How much do you know about heart disease and prevention? In a recent Google+ hangout hosted by Baylor Health Care System and joined by DailyRX.com and The American Heart Association, they dove into some surprising facts.

Some important takeaways from the hangout were regarding diet, exercise and taking appropriate actions when necessary.

Proper diet may not be enough to ensure protection from heart disease and other cardiovascular illnesses. Often times we “over salt” our food, which leads to us, exceeding the daily value of sodium needed in a healthy diet. By eating freshly prepared foods you can avoid consuming excess sodium.

To get adequate exercise doesn’t take too much effort. Just a simple 30 minutes of a challenging activity can help build a fit and healthy heart. Also, remember that just because you exercise doesn’t mean you can eat whatever you would like! Eat proper foods and eat in moderation and you’ll ensure that you’re heart is beating for a long time.

Take action if something doesn’t feel right in your body. Not everyone experiences heart discomfort the traditional way (numbness and tingling in the left arm). Many doctors agree that you know your body better than most, so if something feels uncomfortable, alert medical professionals immediately. Doing so might save your life.

Stay tuned for more Google+hangouts to help you know more about SCA and Heart Disease. 

One vs the Other

Making sure that you know the difference between a heart attack and sudden cardiac arrest is imperative as all the information comes out about SCA.


Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) differs from a heart attack in that their root problems that lead to the malfunction are different. Heart attacks occur when there is a blockage in either one or many arteries to the heart, preventing blood and oxygen from reaching the heart.

Sudden Cardiac Arrest is an electrical malfunction leading to an irregularly fast heartbeat. Often times, the blood flow to the brain is reduced leading to a loss of consciousness almost immediately. In short, sudden cardiac arrest can happen during a heart attack but it is not a heart attack.

While there are some symptoms of sudden cardiac arrest, often times it strikes with little or no alert. In fact - with Zachary Schrah, there were no symptoms, there were no warning signs.

If you or someone you know begins to feel dizzy or their heart begins racing and it alerts them—take them immediately to a emergency facility or call 911.

If you or someone you know has had a previous heart attack, coronary artery disease, practices coronary-risking behavior such as smoking, unhealthy eating habits or recreational drug abuse, advise them of the dangers and help grow awareness of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). It is vital to share this information with your doctor so that you can both assess ways to lower your risk of this potentially-fatal condition.