Sudden Cardiac Death of the Young (SCDY)

Sudden cardiac death claims the lives of more than 300 Michigan children and young adults between the ages of 1-39 years annually. These deaths are a tremendous loss not only for families, but for entire communities. Even more disheartening is that many of these deaths could be prevented through screening, detection, and treatment. SCDY victims are too young to die-and every life lost is one too many. One way to detect high risk conditions that predispose to SCDY is through pre-participation sports screening of student athletes. The resources below contain more information on SCDY as well as links to ongoing projects at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. For information on specific SCDY-related conditions, try searching the Resource Database.

Highlighted Resources

Kimerly Anne Gillary Foundation The Kimberly Anne Gillary Foundation is an organization focused on addressing cardiac health within schools. The foundation has previously organized events and scholarships that spotlight schools promoting heart healthy students.
MDHHS Sudden Cardiac Death of the Young The MDHHS Genomics Program initiated a surveillance system to further assess the impact of SCDY and identify action steps for prevention. This website provides links, events and data on SCDY.
MI HEARTSafe Schools The MI HEARTSafe School Award Program was created to support school communities' efforts to prevent SCDY by screening athletes for inherited sudden cardiac arrest syndromes and increasing the awareness of how to recognize the signs of a sudden cardiac arrest and respond quickly.
Pre-participation sports screening for Michigan student athletes This pre-participation sports physical examination form must be filled out before any Michigan student practices with any athletic team. This form helps determine if a student is physically fit to participate in a variety of sports depending on their family history and personal health issues.
Too Young To Die - An update on the Impact of Sudden Cardiac Death of the Young in Michigan 1999-2011 The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is pleased to present this updated report detailing the impact of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in Michigan young people under age 40—an issue of grave public health concern.
Be the Beat! An online Sudden Cardiac Arrest awareness initiative to teach teens all across the country the simple steps that can save a life—and create the next generation of lifesavers. It has resources for students and teachers for learning/teaching hands-only CPR.
Save A Life Simulator Heart Rescue Project's bystander response simulator activity.

Kimerly Anne Gillary Foundation

The Kimberly Anne Gillary Foundation is an organization focused on addressing cardiac health within schools. The foundation has previously organized events and scholarships that spotlight schools promoting heart healthy students.

MDHHS Sudden Cardiac Death of the Young

The MDHHS Genomics Program initiated a surveillance system to further assess the impact of SCDY and identify action steps for prevention. This website provides links, events and data on SCDY.

MI HEARTSafe Schools

The MI HEARTSafe School Award Program was created to support school communities' efforts to prevent SCDY by screening athletes for inherited sudden cardiac arrest syndromes and increasing the awareness of how to recognize the signs of a sudden cardiac arrest and respond quickly.

Pre-participation sports screening for Michigan student athletes

This pre-participation sports physical examination form must be filled out before any Michigan student practices with any athletic team. This form helps determine if a student is physically fit to participate in a variety of sports depending on their family history and personal health issues.

Too Young To Die - An update on the Impact of Sudden Cardiac Death of the Young in Michigan 1999-2011

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is pleased to present this updated report detailing the impact of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in Michigan young people under age 40—an issue of grave public health concern.

Be the Beat!

An online Sudden Cardiac Arrest awareness initiative to teach teens all across the country the simple steps that can save a life—and create the next generation of lifesavers. It has resources for students and teachers for learning/teaching hands-only CPR.

Save A Life Simulator

Heart Rescue Project's bystander response simulator activity.

Additional Resources

Cardiac Emergency Response Plan A cardiac emergency response plan sample editable for use at your school.
Cardiac Emergency Response Protocol Directions in case of a cardiac emergency.
Cardiac Emergency Response Team Document for listing the people designated as the cardiac emergency response team.
February 2-6, 2015: Sudden Cardiac Death of the Young Awareness Week I, Rick Snyder, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim February 2-6, 2015 as Sudden Cardiac Death of the Young Awareness Week in Michigan.
KAYLA Foundation Promotes accessible AEDs with trained emergency responders in schools.
Kimberly Anne Gillary Foundation Dedicated to equipping Michigan high schools with AEDs, appropriate screening for all athletes, and promoting CPR/AED training and practice drills.
MDHHS news release on CHD Awareness Week and SCDY Awareness Day A MDHHS news release for celebrating February as American Heart Month, Congenital Heart Defect (CHD) Awareness Week and Sudden Cardiac Death of the Young Awareness Day.
MDHHS Press Release - Michigan Recognizes 40 Schools Prepared for Cardiac Emergencies Governor Rick Snyder, MDCH, MDE, MAP-SCDY, AHA, and many community partners are committed to reducing the number of sudden cardiac death in our youth. The recognition of the first MI HEARTSafe Schools is another forward step in the effort to do so.
MI HEARTSafe CPR/AED training How to get CPR training and obtain an AED for your school.
MI HEARTSafe MHSAA sports screening Details on the MHSAA sports screening form and resources on pre-participation forms.

Cardiac Emergency Response Plan

A cardiac emergency response plan sample editable for use at your school.

Cardiac Emergency Response Protocol

Directions in case of a cardiac emergency.

Cardiac Emergency Response Team

Document for listing the people designated as the cardiac emergency response team.

February 2-6, 2015: Sudden Cardiac Death of the Young Awareness Week

I, Rick Snyder, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim February 2-6, 2015 as Sudden Cardiac Death of the Young Awareness Week in Michigan.

KAYLA Foundation

Promotes accessible AEDs with trained emergency responders in schools.

Kimberly Anne Gillary Foundation

Dedicated to equipping Michigan high schools with AEDs, appropriate screening for all athletes, and promoting CPR/AED training and practice drills.

MDHHS news release on CHD Awareness Week and SCDY Awareness Day

A MDHHS news release for celebrating February as American Heart Month, Congenital Heart Defect (CHD) Awareness Week and Sudden Cardiac Death of the Young Awareness Day.

MDHHS Press Release - Michigan Recognizes 40 Schools Prepared for Cardiac Emergencies

Governor Rick Snyder, MDCH, MDE, MAP-SCDY, AHA, and many community partners are committed to reducing the number of sudden cardiac death in our youth. The recognition of the first MI HEARTSafe Schools is another forward step in the effort to do so.

MI HEARTSafe CPR/AED training

How to get CPR training and obtain an AED for your school.

MI HEARTSafe MHSAA sports screening

Details on the MHSAA sports screening form and resources on pre-participation forms.

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