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Utah State basketball player Danny Berger was running drills at practice just like normal when he collapsed on the court. If the school, or team, had been less prepared, Berger may not have survived. But due to the quick action and thinking of assistant athletic trainer Mike Williams – who ordered 911 be called, performed CPR and then shocked Berger back to life with an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) – Berger may be able to play basketball again. Berger may not have known it, but his life was saved seven years before he collapsed due to SCA (Sudden Cardiac Arrest) at practice on the 5th of December.

The Hoops for Heart Health Foundation was started in 2005 by NBA veteran Ryan Gomes with one simple purpose: preventing deaths due to SCA. By providing defibrillators and training for use of the device in recreation centers and schools across the country Gomes furthers his foundation’s mission saving hundreds of students’ lives.

The foundation has provided more than 80 defibrillators, each one coming at a cost of about $5,000. The money comes from donations and charity events, such as a golf tournament, with big names contributing to the cause as well, such as members of the Los Angeles Clippers lending their time in a public service announcement.

It was with tragedy that Gomes was motivated to start this foundation. His good friend Stanley Myers died from SCA while running on a track. There was no defibrillator to be found. His foundation has made great strides in helping schools preventing deaths due to SCA.

The foundation still has work to do, but this is solid evidence that the work it is doing saves lives. The unpredictability of SCA is scary, but Berger and his trainer Williams show that being prepared is the most important aspect of saving someone’s life.

In Good Heart Health,

Eric Schroeder

Hoops for Heart Health Foundation Saving Lives One School at a Time
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My HeartCheck is a medical services organization that provides professional youth heart screenings, including EKGs and echocardiograms.

To help ensure that cost is not a barrier to screening, My HeartCheck works with multiple independent nonprofit organizations that provide charitable support for families and communities in need. These partners include Strive for Life Foundation and the Jordan Robert Mann Foundation, among others.

My HeartCheck automatically applies the first $40 of financial assistance toward every qualifying financial aid screening. When a parent requests financial assistance, the pricing is adjusted immediately using a pre-established aid formula. Additional assistance beyond the first $40 is supported through our charitable partners—including Strive for Life Foundation and the Jordan Robert Mann Foundation—subject to available funding.

In addition to individual financial assistance, My HeartCheck works with multiple nonprofit organizations to support fully funded heart screening events in underserved or high-risk communities. These events are designed to expand access to screenings for children who might otherwise go untested.

My HeartCheck provides the clinical screening services for all screenings and events at standard, fair-market rates. While My HeartCheck and its nonprofit partners are separate organizations with distinct roles, we share a common goal: protecting children by identifying hidden heart conditions early.

Cancellation policy: A full refund for cancellations will be honored if written notice is received at least 5 days prior to your scheduled event. Requests must be sent to info@myheartcheck.org. A full refund, minus a $25.00 processing fee, will be honored for any cancellation requests received less than 5 days prior to your scheduled event. Within 48 hours of your appointment date, we are unable to honor appointment changes or cancellations. No refunds will be provided for missed appointments. ATS reserves the right to cancel a screening event in the unlikely event of insufficient enrolment or other unforeseen circumstances. If an event is canceled or postponed, ATS will provide full refunds for registration fees but cannot be held responsible for other costs or expenses.