A real gold medalist with HEART!

American swimmer, Dana Vollmer, became the first woman to swim the 100-meter butterfly in less than 56 seconds, earning her an Olympic gold medal.

While Vollmer has had to overcome her fair share of struggles: various injuries and an unfortunate swim that led to her not qualifying for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the most impressive is that Dana Vollmer has been competing at a high-level with a heart disorder.

Vollmer learned at 15-years old that she had an abnormal heartbeat when doctors discovered that Vollmer had a genetic cardiac electrical disorder called long QT syndrome, a potentially deadly heart condition that could lead to sudden cardiac arrest (SCA).

Choosing not to let it derail her, the Granbury, Texas local decided to continue to train and compete an elite level with dreams of one day wear an Olympic gold medal, which she would earn in 2004 as her parents watched from the stands with a defibrillator at their side in case the worst happened.

Stories like Dana's serve as a reminder that sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) and other heart conditions can find anyone, even an Olympic athlete. But, the inspirational response of a young girl with a lifetime of memories, dreams and goals reveal the true nature of the heart, the courage to chase your dreams.

From the Living for Zachary Family ~

Congratulations to Olympic gold medalist, Dana Vollmer!

Empowered Hearts and Events - Join us!

Upcoming Events

September 13th @ 6:00

Happy Hour at
Tate’s in Uptown

2723 McKinney Ave – Dallas, TX

Mission

Empowered Hearts is an extension of L4Z, whose mission is to bring sudden cardiac awareness (SCA) awareness to the Young Professionals of DFW through networking, education, service and community outreach. We aim to promote fun, healthy lifestyles throughout the DFW, and help fight the battle against SCA.

Marvel Photography by
Tarryn Uran

Empowered Heart Officers

Jennifer Berg - President

She was born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She went to the University of New Mexico and graduated with a degree in Advertising and Marketing. She two stepped her way to Dallas Texas in 2008 and has been in Dallas ever since. She currently works as the Marketing Director at a Financial Firm. Although she now calls Texas home, she is still a die hard Lobo fan.

Rachel Cochran - Vice President

She is from Plano, Texas. Rachel graduated from Dallas Baptist University with a degree in Communications Theory with a minor in music. She is currently working as a Marketing Coordinator for a financial advisor. Rachel has a passion for singing and dreams to open a bakery one day. She loves spending time with her family, friends and her dog Elvis Marley.

Curtis Edenfield - Treasurer

He was born in Albuquerque, NM – but spent his high school years in Boston, MA. He graduated from Southern Methodist University in May of 2009 with a Bachelors of Science degree in Financial Economics and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Policy. After graduation he spent time as a Senior Associate at a consulting firm here in Dallas. His work included helping Fortune 500 companies with their location strategies, economic incentive packages, and labor analysis. He currently works at Southwest Airlines as a Yield Analyst in the Revenue Management department. In his spare time he enjoys playing golf, traveling, and finding the best local dives in the DFW area to check out!















Brittney Lauren Fischer – Secretary

She was born in Memphis, Tennessee, but raised in Plano, Texas. She attended Texas A&M University and graduated from Abilene Christian University, where I majored in Youth and Family Ministries. Her main interests in life all involve her faith, family, and friends. She gains her greatest satisfactions in life by serving others and being part of a group of people who are dedicated and committed to assisting others. She has been beyond blessed in her life and believe it is vital to pass these blessings on to others. Whether it is sharing a smile, enjoying a laugh, or comforting others during a difficult time, it is important to her to be part of something larger than herself.




Anna Watkins – Social and Special Events Director

She was born and raised in southern Arkansas where she graduated in 2011 from the Fay Jones School of Architecture from the The University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. Moving to Dallas after graduation Anna now works at as an Account Executive at D Magazine. She has a love for the Arkansas Razorbacks, family, Seaside, live music and fellowship. If you want to find her on Sunday afternoon...check the movie theater. She hasn't missed a Sunday movie in months!

Find EMPOWERED Hearts on Facebook

Contact Rachel at Rachel@living4zachary.com for information on how to
become a member of Empowered Hearts!

Darius is Still Playing Baseball (GE Works)

In Memory of Zach Swirczynski

Student & Athlete Mobile Heart Screenings - Sponsored by Living for Zachary

 

Student & Athlete Mobile Heart Screenings

Sponsored by Living for Zachary

August 4th & 8th

from 8am-5pm

Location: Plano East Senior  High School Parking Lot

Appointments are necessary and spaces are limited so call today!

1-855-849-TEST (8378)


More than 250,000 deaths occur each year as a result of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) among the lives lost are young people ages 12-22.

The Living for Zachary Organization, THE HEART HOSPITAL Baylor Plano and HEALTHFAIR
have partnered to offer Student and Athlete Heart Screenings for our community. These potentially live-saving screenings can detect heart abnormalities.

JOIN US in the fight to prevent the loss of young lives by signing up for a youth heart screening today!

The screening includes the following:

Echocardiogram - a 2 dimensional video ultrasound of the heart

Electrocardiogram (EKG) - a picture of the heart's electrical activity

Blood Pressure - Blood pressure is the force of blood upon the walls of the walls of the arteries
and is considered a principal vital sign.

Complete Screening cost is $125.00

Preventing Sudden Cardiac Arrest One Stride At A Time

Living for Zacharyis a non-profit organization [(501 (c) (3) 80-0410066] with a mission dedicated to saving younglives from sudden cardiac arrest(SCA). The organization was founded in honor of Zachary Schrah, who was only 16 years old when he collapsed during a high school football practice in Plano on April 2, 2009. After Zachary's death, the Living for Zachary Organization was established to raise awareness

of undiagnosed heart issues in teens.

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Screenings Provided by

HEALTHFAIR

For information on the Living for Zachary Mobile Screenings 

visit www.Living4zachary.org or click here.

Visit Living for Zachary

on Facebook, Twitter

and YouTube 

View our videos on YouTube

Register for the

4th Annual
Living For Zachary Incredible HeartRun TODAY!

Can you be more involved?

Often times, readers of Living for Zachary and other blogs that discuss Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) and other heart related illnesses often ask how they can get involved. A student at the University of Texas at Austin, Thomas Riley, decided that he could get involved and raise SCA awareness on his campus.

Since April, Thomas and his executive team have created and helped fund an organization called Longhorn Student Cardiac Association. Their purpose statement is to "promote cardiac health awareness on the University of Texas at Austin campus and throughout the Austin,TX community".
Initiative taken by multiple students on a college campus in Austin can be instrumental in helping the general community become more aware of the symptoms and consequences of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) and other heart-related illnesses, as well as introduce a call to action.

If students can understand the urgency behind heart screening as well as how to respond in emergency situations, the lives of our family, friends and strangers can be spared.  How can you get involved?