New event draws attention to childhood cardiac screening

Kids were swinging for the fences Saturday to raise awareness about a problem that often goes undetected.

The first ever “Homers for Hearts” event was held today at Runyon Field.

Kids had their chance to hit home runs and at the same time get checkups from medical teams to see if they had any hidden cardiac issues.

Here’s a shocking statistic; according to the event coordinator, former EMT and first aid consultant Richard Perse, 17 kids die per day from hidden cardiac conditions because kids don’t typically undergo heart testing.

Often, the problem stays hidden until a tragedy on the playground, or during a school sanctioned sporting event.

Perse said he wants to get the word out because, “You don’t have to bury a child. Parents don’t have to lose a kid. We catch them before that happens and prevent to make sure we do cardiac screens, and donate [portable defibrillators] and train people to use the [defibrillators].”

About fifty kids were checked for hidden cardiac problems at Saturday’s event.