New Year’s Resolution – Get Tested for SADS Conditions!

When it comes to heart arrhythmia abnormalities, most people do not know what or have not even heard of SADS conditions. That is, until they hear in the news about their local senior basketball superstar of his high school team who suddenly dropped dead on the middle of the court during an intense and exciting basketball game.

So make it a part of your New Year’s Resolution to get tested and become educated with SADS conditions this year!

The Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndromes (SADS) Foundation is an organization dedicated to saving lives and supporting families of children and young adults who are predisposed to sudden death due to heart abnormalities. The Foundation sets out to provide information, support and hope to thousands of families with children living with the health threat. The SADS Foundation is a leader in education, research and advocacy for people with genetic heart arrhythmia to increase awareness of the causes of sudden deaths so families can live long happy and healthy lives.

The major warning signs of SADS conditions include the following:

• Family history of unexpected, unexplained sudden death in a person under age 40 – including drowning suddenly
• Fainting (syncope) or seizures during exercise, excitement, or being startled
• Consistent or unusual chest pains and/or shortness of breath during exercise

For more information on the SADS Foundation or how you can help, please visit www.StopSADS.org.

For questions on support and health, please call 1-800-STOP SAD or 801-531-0937

Please Pledge to Help Stop Cardiac Arrest Today!

We are only less than 20 people away from our 9,000 signatures’ goal!

Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) claims more than 380,000 lives per year, and is the leading cause of death in the United States. SCA can strike anyone, anytime. Even you!

We, the undersigned agree with the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Coalition and its member organizations that automated external defibrillators (AEDs), along with emergency action plans should be in all schools and places of public gathering, including sports venues, shopping malls and places of business.

By signing this petition you lend your voice to the voiceless victims of SCA and join those fortunate few who have survived a SCA in saying “No more needless deaths; AEDs save lives and should be in our schools and places of public gathering.”

Watch the video above and then click on the following link to sign our petition! http://www.causes.com/causes/225843-sudden-arrhythmia-death-syndromes-sads-foundation/actions/1681092

2013 SADS Foundation Annual International Conference

Mark your calendars!

The SAD Foundation, in conjunction with Fairfield Medical Center and The Ohio State University, is prepping for another great year of world-leading education and discussions on preventing unexpected sudden death in the young.

This CME/CEU accredited program will feature various lectures and workshops of world-renowned doctors, physicians, and researchers from across the country for both the medical professionals and community members to attend.

Date: November 1 – 3, 2013

Place: Columbus, OH

Featured Speakers: TBA

Tentative Agenda:

• Friday, November 1: Continuing medical education for field professionals
• Sat-Sun, November 2-3: Community education and awareness for general public

Check back for more updated information! For further questions and comments, please email sads@sads.org or call 801.531.0937.

2nd Annual Texas Hold ‘Em Tournament and Benefit Dinner

The second annual Texas Hold ‘Em Tournament and Benefit Dinner for the SADS Foundation is held in memory of Race Salazar who passed away suddenly and unexpectedly due to an undiagnosed SADS condition.

Join friends and family of Race Salazar for an evening of dinner, entertainment, poker & prizes, silent auction, raffles and so much more!

Tickets are $45 for dinner only or $50 for a $5 poker buy-in.

Event Date: 01/07/2012
Event Time: 6:00 p.m.

Event Location: Folsom Community Center, 52 Natoma Street
Folsom, CA 95630

Visit the Race to Keep Hearts Beating Foundation’s website for more informaiton and to purchase tickets.

Are You A Poet? Help the SADS Foundation Out!

The SADS Foundation is calling to all poets out there to help the charity out with the Heart & Soul Grant program in a poem writing contest!

Whether you are a professional writer or just some one who loves words and wants to be creative, we want to hear from you!

Here’s how you enter the contest:

1. Create a 4-8 line poem describing the mission of the SADS Foundation: “To save the lives and support the families of children and young adults who are genetically predisposed to sudden death due to hearty rhythm abnormalities”

2. Submit your poem by January 2, 2013 to the SADS Foundation by emailing laura@sads.org

3. We will enter the best poem to the Heart & Soul Grant program!

For more information on the SADS Foundation, please visit www.stopsads.org.

End of Year Fundraiser: Are You Up for the Challenge?!

Goal: $50,000

Deadline: December 31, 2012

The SADS Foundation has teamed up with its dedicated supporters and donors to commit to a goal of raising $50,000 for the End-of-Year Fundraising Campaign!

The SADS Foundation challenges YOU to help children and families with heart rhythm abnormalities by giving generously BEFORE December 31, 2012. Help us prevent sudden death in children and young adults by participating in the SADS Foundation’s new tradition before the year ends. This is the time to get all your friends and family members to make a tax-deductible donation to the SADS Foundation. You can donate online at http://www.StopSADS.org or drop a check in the mail today!

Help Us! Federal Research Funding at Risk!

ACTION ALERT: Federal Research Funding at risk!

Help us today and take action! More federal funding cuts would be devastating to the public health system that keeps families healthy and supports vital research to improve treatment and overall quality of life for all SADS patients and families!

http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs141/1100357195496/archive/1111747552616.html

Annual Brittany’s Trees Fundraiser

It was back in 2005 when this tradition started in Carol Stream, Illinois, as a dedication to an eight year old girl who had passed away as a result of Long QT syndrome, a SADS condition. A group of neighbors and friends developed Brittany’s Trees in memory of Brittany Valene. By displaying lighted Christmas trees throughout her neighborhood in Carol Stream, IL and surrounding towns, the neighbors increase awareness of the warning signs of SADS and raise funds to further the mission of the SADS Foundation.

On the Saturday following Thanksgiving, Brittany’s neighbors get together to deliver, set-up and light Christmas trees in front yards in Carol Stream and surrounding communities.

For a donation of $35, a group of volunteers will deliver, set-up and light a Christmas tree (6 feet Scotch pine) in your front yard. The only thing homeowners need to provide is an extension cord.

What started as 22 decorative trees in one community for the holidays turned into a national project of over 1,000 trees in over 40 communities.

If you want to participate in this fun activity or if you’re looking for a new tradition for the family, please join us in our Brittany’s Trees fundraiser! For more information please www.StopSADS.org.

Heart of the Matter – Ask the Experts #5

Have you ever wondered how and when to go about the screenings of newborns and athletes for genetic heart diseases? Well here’s you chance to find out from our very own Dr. Michael J. Ackerman, MD, PhD from the Mayo Clinic.

The SADS Foundation has teamed up with Mayo Clinic to launch this ground-breaking program. The videos serve as a crucial tool for worldwide professionals and community members to share their expertise and concerns on heart rhythm abnormalities that could cause sudden death in children and young adults.

You may subscribe to the videos by clicking on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7I60pR0KOxg.

Giving Tuesday Fundraiser for SADS Foundation

Join us on Tuesday, November 27th (the Tuesday after Thanksgiving) for our Holiday Giving Tuesday campaign!

This is the day to get all your friends and family members to donate to our charity. You can donate online at www.StopSADS.org or drop a check in the mail that day for as little or as big of an amount as you want!

Help us start a new tradition and get everyone in a holiday giving mood. The Giving Tuesday fundraiser will benefit all the families and friends who have been affected by heart rhythm abnormalities.