McKenzie Health System to Host Free Teen Heart Health Event in Partnership with TommysHeart.org

McKenzie Health System is partnering with TommysHeart.org to provide a free Teen Heart Health Event on Saturday, October 25, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Sandusky High School Gymnasium, 191 Pinetree Lane in Sandusky.

Open to teens ages 13-19, this event offers free heart screenings designed to detect underlying conditions that could increase the risk of sudden cardiac arrest. Screenings will include a health history questionnaire, blood pressure check, and electrocardiogram (EKG). Additional tests, such as an echocardiogram, may be recommended if needed.

The event is offered in partnership with TommysHeart.org, a nonprofit founded in memory of Thomas N. Smith, a healthy 17-year-old high school senior who tragically passed away in 2011 from Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) caused by Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, an often-undiagnosed heart condition.

Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is not a heart attack but an electrical issue that causes the heart to suddenly stop beating. If the heart is not restarted, SCA can lead to Sudden Cardiac Death. According to TommysHeart.org, 80% of all youth who experience SCA show no symptoms until they collapse. Last year alone, U.S. 911 call centers responded to more than 23,500 cardiac emergencies involving children.

“The Thomas Smith Memorial Foundation exists to prevent all families from suffering the loss of a child to a hidden heart condition,” said Billi Jo Hennika, Chief Operating Officer. “Through this partnership, we’re bringing vital screening and education to teens in our community.”

Students must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Advance registration is required ahead of the event and can be completed online. To register, visit www.TommysHeart.org and click on the event tab to find the McKenzie event or call 810-648-6127. Space is limited.