to register online to receive free sports screenings during Heart of a
Champion Day on Saturday, June 5. The third annual event is a
partnership between CMS and Levine Children's Hospital, Carolinas
Medical Center (CMC), Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute and
OrthoCarolina.
Rising 10th, 11th and 12th graders may complete the necessary forms,
including a medical history, by visitingwww.heartofachampionday.org.
Registration will close on May 31 or when enrollment reaches 2,000
students, whichever comes first. The screenings will take place at the
Carolinas College of Health Sciences on CMC's campus, 1200 Blythe
Boulevard.
During Heart of a Champion Day, students will receive a free general
sports screening, musculoskeletal check and a vision examination. The
screenings are unique because they also include an electrocardiogram
and an echocardiogram to check for heart conditions that could
potentially cause sudden death during athletic competition. Neither of
these heart tests is part of a routine athletic screening and does not
eliminate the risk.
In 2009, more than 1,200 students were screened and some 65 were
referred to physicians for further evaluation before being cleared to
participate in sports. Conditions discovered included a number of
heart irregularities, elevated blood pressure, post-concussion
syndrome, uncontrolled asthma, overuse injuries, and vision problems.
Supported with funding provided by Carolinas HealthCare Foundation's
annual Cupid's Cup 5k race, Heart of a Champion Day will be staffed by
more than 400 volunteer doctors, clinicians, nurses and other
community members. It is believed to be the largest, most
comprehensive screening of its kind in the United States.
