Santa Cruz Student Athlete Cardiac Screening Program
More than one young U.S. athlete, on average, is lost to Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD) every week. To help prevent such heart-breaking deaths, PAMF Santa Cruz administers no-cost pre-participation physical evaluations (PPE) and cardiac screening to student athletes of Santa Cruz community high schools.
Help purchase an additional cardiac ultrasound unit to accommodate the hundreds of new patients seen through our Athlete Screening Program.
Read More about Santa Cruz Student Athlete Cardiac Screening Program
"This program represents what is great about PAMF; the organization, staff, and physicians donating resources, time, and expertise to provide cutting-edge, evidence-based care for our community in a program designed to save the lives of young, student athletes.”
--Daniel Marcus, M.D., Medical Director of Rehabilitation Services, PAMF-Santa Cruz
Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD) claims the lives of 400,000 to 460,000 Americans each year, accounting for half of all heart disease deaths. Often SCD kills individuals who appear outwardly very healthy, such as high school, college and professional athletes. More than one young U.S. athlete, on average, is lost to SCD every week.
To help prevent such unexpected, heart-breaking deaths, U.S. high school and college students who play competitive sports are required to undergo an annual pre-participation physical evaluation (PPE). The PPE identifies risk factors that may indicate a greater vulnerability to injury or illness. Unfortunately, a routine PPE does not include a cardiac evaluation that screens for underlying heart conditions or heart disease—the major cause of death among young athletes. Another complication: few health insurance plans cover the cost of PPEs.
No-Cost PPEs and Cardiac Screening
The Palo Alto Medical Foundation – Santa Cruz (formerly Santa Cruz Medical Foundation) has long donated significant staff hours, equipment and medical expertise to administer no-cost PPEs to the student athletes of Santa Cruz community high schools. Beginning in 2010, we have extended that testing to include 12-lead EKGs, followed by additional cardiac evaluations as necessary.
As with the PPEs, PAMF Santa Cruz offers the cardiac screening at no cost to the schools or the students as a community service, contributing all the necessary staff, space and equipment.
By detecting even one serious heart abnormality, a young life may be saved.
Philanthropic Opportunity
State-of-the-art cardiac ultrasound and treadmill technology is the key to successful cardiac screening. Currently, PAMF Santa Cruz has only one ultrasound and treadmill screening unit, which is not sufficient to accommodate the hundreds of new patients to be seen through the Athlete Screening Program. We seek philanthropic support to purchase an additional cardiac ultrasound unit that will fulfill this need and also expand the current level of care for our existing patients.
Key Research Fact
In Italy, where EKG testing has been part of PPE for athletes for 25 years, one region experienced a 90 percent reduction in sudden death from cardiomyopathy or arrhythmia.
Giving to the Santa Cruz Student Athlete Cardiac Screening Program Fundraising Goal
$239,500
Sutter Match Opportunity
Sutter Health has granted PAMF - Santa Cruz a dollar-for-dollar match up to $107,250 for all funds committed to Santa Cruz Student Athlete Cardiac Screening Program by the end of 2010.
Donor Recognition and Naming Opportunities
The Palo Alto Medical Foundation will recognize donors to the Santa Cruz Student Athlete Cardiac Screening Program in a manner that will honor these individuals, families and organizations, as well as inspire others to follow their generous example.
Contact Information
Liz Kolcun
Regional Director of Major Gifts
Phone: 650-934-3508
E-mail Liz Kolcun