Blake Jacobs is a young man with a big passion for football. Because of mother’s intuition and persistence, he underwent cardiac testing before football season. Blake had no symptoms of heart problems, just a lot of heart when it came to playing the game. The shock came when the diagnosis of a rare life-threatening heart condition potentially saved his life, but ended his dream. Too many young athletes lose their lives to undiagnosed heart conditions. Testing and early detection save lives. Make complete cardiac testing a mandatory part of the sports physical.
Our campaign is to MAKE COMPLETE CARDIAC TESTING A MANDATORY PART OF THE SPORTS PHYSICAL.
Yay! Spread the word. Save a life. - Robert (Dad)
ReplyDeleteAs many of you know it’s that time of year when school sports are starting up. Unfortunately, it’s also the time of year we begin to hear about otherwise healthy kids suddenly dying.
ReplyDeleteReports are showing that the number of young athletes with sudden death are due to cardiac problems that had never been diagnosed are on the rise.
There is no law currently in the United States that requires cardiac testing or cardiac releases in children’s sports physicals. The cost-benefit ration of the screening is still open/up for discussion. Most schools simply require an athlete to get a pre-participation evaluation note from their physician.
I truly believe that my nephew’s life was saved by his mother’s intuition and adamancy to get him a full cardiac release before his high school football career was underway.
I am asking that all of you stand with us in our quest to make cardiac screenings mandatory for our young athletes!!
We together can save another young life!
An Aunt of one Brave Heart-Cheri Lester Reed
Truly a close call... Thank God everything was caught in time.
ReplyDeleteProject Brave Heart is how you turn lemons into lemonade! Congrats on helping save lives Blake.
Best wishes for the success that awaits you!
We ask ourselves why things like this happen and I think you have found the answer Blake. When missing playing football replace that thought with the fact that you may have saved another life! P.U.S.H. You are a very lucky young man - thank God for Mom's persistence.
ReplyDeleteI am a mother of a 10 year old son and a friend of Blake's family. I too am having my son tested soon. I have felt strongly about cardiac testing for our atheletes for many years. Why should our kids die because insuance company's do not want to pay for these tests. I had to push my peditrician to get me a referal. We as parents have to stand up and fight to have these test done!
ReplyDeleteI told your mom this the other day Blake. Through being around the game (coaching, etc.) you'll still get that joy that it's always brought to you. Your courage has inspired us all here. (David - Wray Automotive)
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