Athletes Have Heart is a passionate program dedicated to uniting entrepreneurship, sports, and heart health. Founded by Ragan Lynch, a three-time open heart surgery survivor and former athlete, our mission is to promote entrepreneurship, raise awareness, educate, and conduct screenings for sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) among athletes.
Our collaboration with the MCORE Foundation located in Columbus, OH allows us to provide essential screenings while empowering the athlete, community, and supporters. Through our unique fundraising Ambassador Program, we offer symbolic bracelets to sell that make a stylish statement and signify a commitment to preventing SCA and promoting heart wellness.
Get Your Bracelet or Become an Ambassador and join us in creating a safer environment and brighter future for young athletes—one heartbeat at a time.
Until it’s possible to predict tragedy, there is only prevention.
~MCore Foundation
JOIN OUR TEAM
What is SCA?
Understanding Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA)
Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is a life-threatening condition that strikes without warning, often affecting seemingly healthy individuals, including athletes. It occurs when the heart’s electrical system malfunctions, causing the heart to suddenly stop beating. Unlike a heart attack, which is caused by a blocked artery, SCA disrupts the heart’s rhythm and can lead to unconsciousness and death within minutes if not treated promptly.
Though many causes have been found, most cases result from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), the thickening of a heart muscle that obstructs blood outflow.
Unfortunately, SCA claims a life roughly every 90 seconds, and tragically, a young athlete falls victim to SCA every 3 days, surpassing the annual toll of lives lost to breast cancer.
Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) continues to be the leading cause of fatalities among student-athletes, with 1 in every 300 children harboring an undiagnosed heart condition. Early recognition and access to immediate medical care, including defibrillation, are crucial for increasing survival rates. Athletes Have Heart is committed to raising awareness about SCA, educating communities, and providing screenings at our Athletes Have Heart events sponsored by MCore Foundation to identify risk factors, ultimately striving to prevent this silent and devastating condition from claiming more lives in the athletic community.
How to Get Started
JOIN our Athletes Have Heart Ambassador Program
Our Athletes Have Heart Ambassador Program follows a time-tested approach just like the renowned world-famous chocolate candy bar fundraiser. Instead of selling candy bars, we provide trendy stylish stretchy fabric bracelets adorned with the Athletes Have Heart logo for students to promote and sell. Through this initiative, students not only earn personal commissions but also receive override commissions for their respective schools, teams, or organizations. We also welcome parents’ active participation, allowing them to earn additional income to defray the expenses associated with their children’s athletic pursuits. Furthermore, their collective efforts contribute significantly to funding the Heart Screening events that we organize throughout the year.
Fundraising with Purpose
Our unique fundraising platform takes center stage by offering symbolic unique bracelets, we provide an opportunity for athletes and supporters to contribute while wearing a tangible symbol of their commitment to heart health. The funds raised help support screenings, educational initiatives, and our mission to prevent SCA.
Raise Awareness and Educate
Our journey begins with raising awareness about sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) and its potential impact on athletes. Through informative campaigns and educational materials, we aim to equip athletes, families, and communities with the knowledge they need to recognize the signs of SCA and understand its risks.
Heart Screenings for Athletes
Early detection is key to preventing SCA. In this step, we collaborate with our esteemed National Partner, the MCORE Foundation, to offer comprehensive heart screenings for athletes. These screenings help identify potential risk factors and allow us to take proactive measures to ensure the well-being of athletes.
Community Engagement
Creating a safer environment requires the involvement of the entire community. Through events, workshops, and outreach programs, we engage with families, coaches, schools, and local organizations to promote heart health awareness and encourage participation in our mission.
Championing Change
We bring everything together to create a lasting impact. By uniting athletes, families, and supporters, we amplify our message and build a community dedicated to saving lives. As advocates for change, we work collectively to ensure that the voices of young athletes and their heart health are heard.
Join us as we embark on these transformative steps, working hand in hand to empower athletes and champion a future free from the devastating effects of sudden cardiac arrest.
What are people saying?
Stay Informed & Engaged: News & Updates
Discover the latest insights, stories, and events related to Athletes Have Heart. Our news and updates section is your go-to source for valuable information, inspiring stories, and updates on our initiatives. Whether it’s sharing important facts about heart health, recapping successful events, or spotlighting the achievements of our community members, this space is designed to keep you connected and engaged with our mission. Stay informed, stay inspired, and join us in making a difference for athletes’ heart health.
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