About Simon's fund
Simon's Fund: Raising Awareness and Preventing Sudden Cardiac Arrest in Children
Simon's Heart is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to raising awareness about sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) in children and preventing it from happening. The organization was founded by Darren and Phyllis Sudman, who lost their son Simon to SCA when he was just three months old. Since then, they have been working tirelessly to ensure that no other family has to go through the same tragedy.
Sudden cardiac arrest isn't just an adult thing. It can happen to anyone, regardless of age or health status. In fact, it is one of the leading causes of death among young athletes in the United States. Every year, thousands of children die from SCA, often without any warning signs or symptoms.
Simon's Heart aims to change this by educating parents, coaches, teachers, and healthcare professionals about the risks and warning signs of SCA in children. The organization provides free heart screenings for children aged 12-19 years old as well as CPR training for parents and caregivers.
In addition to raising awareness about SCA in children, Simon's Heart also advocates for legislation that would require all schools and youth sports organizations to have automated external defibrillators (AEDs) on hand at all times. AEDs are portable devices that can be used by anyone with minimal training to deliver an electric shock that can restart a person's heart during a sudden cardiac arrest.
Simon's Fund has made significant progress towards its goal of preventing sudden cardiac arrest in children since its inception in 2005. The organization has screened over 20,000 young people for heart conditions through its free heart screening program called "Simon Says Save a Life." They have also trained over 10,000 people on how to perform CPR through their "CPR Anytime" program.
The impact of Simon's Fund extends beyond just raising awareness and providing education. The organization has also funded research into the causes and prevention of SCA in children. They have partnered with leading medical institutions such as Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, the University of Pennsylvania, and the Mayo Clinic to advance their mission.
Simon's Fund is a testament to the power of one family's tragedy to inspire change and make a difference in the lives of others. Through their tireless efforts, they have saved countless lives and prevented many more from being lost to sudden cardiac arrest.
In conclusion, Simon's Heart is an organization that is dedicated to raising awareness about sudden cardiac arrest in children and preventing it from happening. Their free heart screening program, CPR training courses, advocacy for AEDs in schools and youth sports organizations, and funding for research into SCA are all critical components of their mission. If you want to support this worthy cause or learn more about how you can help prevent sudden cardiac arrest in children, visit Simon's Heart website today!