Surrounded by families who have endured the heartache of losing a child to Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA), The Peyton Walker Foundation (PWF) today called on Pennsylvania lawmakers to pass SB 836 known as Peyton’s Law. Sponsored by State Sen. Mike Regan (R-District 31), the measure would enhance the existing PIAA Sports Physical form to include information about requesting an electrocardiogram (EKG) as part of sports physicals. Peyton’s Law aims to protect students and provide them and their families with resources to make informed health decisions. Additionally under the legislation, the Pa. Department of Education would post information on their website about Sudden Cardiac Arrest, the importance of EKGs and the signs and symptoms of heart disease that can lead to cardiac arrest.
Peyton Walker was a 19-year-old college sophomore when she died of Sudden Cardiac Arrest in November 2013. Her family established The Peyton Walker Foundation in her honor to increase awareness and survival rates of Sudden Cardiac Arrest through education, screening and training.
“Informing parents and students of the hidden danger of undetected heart issues and the risk of Sudden Cardiac Arrest is essential if we are to prevent more of these tragic deaths,” said Julie Walker, executive director of The Peyton Walker Foundation. “We thank Sen. Regan and heart heroes like Scott and Melody Stephens for advocating on behalf of Pennsylvania student athletes and their families. With all of the medical advances, why are we giving our kids the same physicals that we, as parents, received 30, 40 or 50 years ago? This is unacceptable. We are failing our precious children.”
The Stephens of Crosby, Texas joined the rally for SB 836. Their son Cody died of Sudden Cardiac Arrest in May 2012, just a few weeks before his high school graduation. Through the Cody Stephens Foundation, they lobbied Texas lawmakers successfully to enact a measure similar to Peyton’s Law.
“We proudly stand with Julie, the Foundation and Sen. Regan to support the adoption of Peyton’s Law. We know this law can save young lives and prevent families from experiencing the heartache we and the Walkers have endured,” noted Scott Stephens, president of the Cody Stephens Foundation. “Like Texas, Pennsylvania can honor the memory of our children by protecting student-athletes from the dangers of heart issues that too often go undetected and untreated, yet can often be discovered by an EKG.”
“As a father of four, Peyton’s and Cody’s stories, as well as so many others, have hit close to home,” stated Sen. Regan. “Knowing a simple test could save my children from becoming a victim of SCA motivated me to have my boys screened, and my legislation provides information to parents and empowers them to take the same steps I did.”
Showing the depth of grassroots movement for SB 836, dozens of supporters encircled the media conference including Adam Breneman, a former All American football player, sports commentator and PWF Board Member; leading Pennsylvania healthcare professionals and business leaders; youth and high school sports teams, students, and organizations; parents whose children died of SCA; as well as survivors some of whom were saved by Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) and trainings provided by The Peyton Walker Foundation.
Julie Walker added that “It’s extremely gratifying to know that one of our donated AEDs saved the life of an East Penn Little League player’s mom.” That mom was resuscitated after suffering Sudden Cardiac Arrest last summer during a game.
Mother Terry O’Connor who lost her son Brendan to Sudden Cardiac Arrest due to an undiagnosed heart condition at 22 years old, also joined today’s event stating that, “Had Brendan been tested, he would be with us today.”
Checking Hearts. Protecting Hearts. Saving Lives from Sudden Cardiac Arrest
The Peyton Walker Foundation strives to boost survival rates for Sudden Cardiac Arrest by donating Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) to youth sports and non-profit organizations, screening students, and training community members in life-saving interventions like Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). According to the American Red Cross, AEDs can analyze the heart’s rhythm and, if necessary, deliver an electrical shock, or defibrillation, to help the heart re-establish an effective rhythm. Because they are portable, AEDs can be used by anyone to potentially save a life. When someone is in cardiac arrest, it is imperative to follow three critical steps:1. CALL 9112. PUSH hard and fast on the chest (CPR)3. SHOCK with an AED
Facts about Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA):
- SCA is one of the leading causes of death in the U.S. (over 600,000 annually).
- SCA is the #1 killer of student-athletes in the U.S.
- Every hour, every day, a student dies from SCA.
- SCA is the leading cause of death on school campuses.
- Most heart conditions that lead to SCA are detectable and treatable.
About Peyton Walker Foundation: The Foundation holds FREE HEART SCREENING CLINICS for students ages 12-19 in the Central Pa. area and beyond. To date, they are proud to have screened nearly 3,000 students leading to potential life-saving medical attention in various cases. The Foundation also has donated more than $75,000 in educational scholarships. They also offer FREE AED and CPR training to every STUDENT who attends their heart screenings allowing students and their families a chance to perform hands-on CPR and gain a better understanding of what an AED is and how to use it. The Foundation provides other FREE community CPR and AED Trainings. Peyton Walker was a 19-year-old Mechanicsburg native, 2012 Trinity High School graduate, and a sophomore in college who was pursuing a career as a Physician Assistant at Kings College in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. when she suffered a Sudden Cardiac Arrest that took her young and vibrant life on November 2, 2013. Afterwards, her family started researching SCA, and found that kids are dying every day from undiagnosed heart issues. The PEYTON WALKER FOUNDATION was established in honor of Peyton’s memory and her dreams of a medical profession to help and care for others. Their mission is to increase awareness and survival rates of Sudden Cardiac Arrest through education, screening and training. Events, screenings and important updates can be found at PeytonWalker.org.
#CheckingHearts #ProtectingHearts #SavingLives