Northfield family helps organize Play for Patrick heart screenings event

According to statistics, one student athlete dies every three days because of Sudden Cardiac Arrest.

Additionally, over 10% of teens tested for a heart screening have symptoms or elicit signs that require additional medical attention.

To help find answers for teens before it is too late, a nonprofit Play for Patrick holds events across the state to screen youth ages 14-24 for hidden heart conditions.

On Saturday, Play for Patrick set up its screening tents at Northfield Middle School to conduct heart screenings, as well as to train teens in emergency response methods of CPR and AED, in order to save others.

Local volunteers joined the Play for Patrick team and were able to screen hundreds of students who came in for testing from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Patrick Schoonover Foundation/Play for Patrick heart screenings was formed to honor the life of Patrick Schoonover, who, at age 14, tragically suffered and passed away due to sudden cardiac arrest while playing in a youth hockey tournament in 2014.

Patrick had an undiagnosed heart condition that could have been identified with an appropriate screening. His parents poured their energy into this foundation to provide free screenings to young men and women to try and identify unknown heart conditions to help other families avoid this tragedy.

Evan and Erica Loe, of Northfield, became interested in the foundation and ultimately advocates for cardiac health following Erica’s own journey of discovery. Erica was a successful young runner in middle school and early high school.

When competing in a section cross country meet while the family lived in northern Wisconsin, she collapsed. Fortunately, she received quick medical care and recovered.

As the family searched for the reason for her collapse, she ultimately had a series of heart screenings and discovered an undetected heart condition that changed her life. With additional medical care and advice, she has taken her knowledge and become proactive in her self-care.

With proper precautions, Erica returned to competitive sports and has been able to live a full, active life. She is an advocate for cardiac care as a student at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and Evan is an advocate as a senior at Northfield High School. Evan has volunteered with the Play for Patrick screenings for many years.