# Play With Heart Foundation

> Play With Heart Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that works to prevent sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) in youth athletes through cardiovascular health screenings (EKGs), AED donation and training, and advocacy for youth athlete safety legislation across America.

Play With Heart Foundation was founded in June 2022. The organization believes every youth athlete deserves to play their sport safely, and works in partnership with schools, sports organizations, and community groups to conduct large-scale cardiac screenings, donate and train people on Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs), and push for legislative change to protect young athletes. The organization is based in the San Diego, California area but supports efforts nationally.

Play With Heart's work is organized around a three-step program called **A.E.D.**:
- **Advocate** — raise awareness of SCA through social media campaigns, often in collaboration with current and former professional athletes, and push for legislative change with lawmakers.
- **Empower** — equip youth athletes, sports organizations, and schools to respond to cardiac emergencies by donating AEDs and providing SCA/CPR response training.
- **Detect** — identify congenital heart conditions early through free EKG screenings, and provide affected athletes and their families with support and guidance.

Key facts and impact (as of latest site update):
- 1,000+ EKG screenings provided to young athletes and teens
- 10+ cardiac abnormalities detected through screenings
- 8+ AEDs donated to youth sports teams and schools
- 800+ youth supported through the AED donation program
- Helped launch three high school clubs
- Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is the leading cause of death in young athletes and on school campuses; fewer than 10% of people who experience SCA survive; on average, a high school student dies from SCA roughly every three days.

Partners include Response Ready, the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department, and the Eric Paredes Save a Life Foundation.

Contact: amy@iplaywithheart.org
Social: instagram.com/playwithheartfoundation

## Docs

- [Home](https://www.iplaywithheart.org/): Overview of the mission, impact stats, AED donation program, and ways to get involved.
- [Our Story](https://www.iplaywithheart.org/story-1): History and founding story of the organization.
- [Mission & Vision](https://www.iplaywithheart.org/mission-and-vision-1): Full mission statement and the A.E.D. program framework.
- [Our Team](https://www.iplaywithheart.org/our-team-1): Leadership and team members.
- [What is SCA?](https://www.iplaywithheart.org/about-sca-1): Educational background on sudden cardiac arrest in youth athletes.
- [SCA Prevention](https://www.iplaywithheart.org/sca-prevention-1): Prevention strategies and best practices.
- [Play With Heart Pledge](https://www.iplaywithheart.org/pwh-pledge-1): Pledge for athletes, coaches, or organizations to commit to heart health awareness.
- [SCA Legislation](https://www.iplaywithheart.org/538344717194-1): Information on legislative advocacy efforts related to youth athlete cardiac safety.
- [Events](https://www.iplaywithheart.org/events-1): Upcoming and past screening events, fundraisers, and community activities.
- [Blog](https://www.iplaywithheart.org/blog-1): News and updates from the foundation.
- [Contact](https://www.iplaywithheart.org/contact-1): How to reach the organization, request an AED donation, or partner on an event.
- [Donate](https://www.iplaywithheart.org/donate-1): Support the foundation's mission financially.

## Optional

- [Instagram](http://instagram.com/playwithheartfoundation/): Social media updates and campaign content.