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Overcast Having a heart in Seaford
Volunteers screen athletes at free health program
Two families have taken tragedies and come together for the well-being of Long Island’s youth. Seaford was the benefit of the efforts of the Acomporas and the Murrays, whose foundations hosted a heart screening at the high school last Saturday.
A total of 359 student-athletes, from 12 to 24 years old, were screened for possible heart problems during a six-hour program on Oct. 17. It was hosted by the Louis J. Acompora Memorial Foundation and the Dominic A. Murray 21 Memorial Foundation, both in memory of students who died from cardiac conditions that were exacerbated by playing sports.
Parents brought their children to the school, and in some cases entire Seaford sports teams came together. Each screening included blood pressure readings, height and weight, a heart sound physical, ECG and Echocardiogram. After the tests were done, students were able to meet with a cardiologist to go over their results.
Following the testing, each student went through training on CPR and how to use a defibrillator. Karen Acompora and Melinda Murray, mothers Louis and Dominic, said that the goal is to have students prepared to help out a teammate or classmate in need.
Acompora said there were cardiac concerns with some of the students, and they are being referred for further testing with a pediatric cardiologist. She said in a typical screening, between 2 and 5 percent of those tested have potential issues, and that was the case last Saturday.
Tom Condon, the district’s athletic director, said that each individual screening is worth at least $1,000. With the number of athletes screened, Seaford essentially received a nearly $400,000 grant, he said. “Safety in athletics is in the forefront,” he said. “This is such a wonderful opportunity. Who knows? We could be saving someone’s life today.”
Condon said that all coaches spread word of the screening to their athletes. He explained that the coaches welcomed this program to the school with open arms. “They bought into it totally,” he said. “They want healthy players.”
