By SALINA POST
The Back*N*Black (BNB) initiative, in partnership with My HeartCheck, has announced its first heart testing event for middle and high school students in Saline County.
The event is scheduled for 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Aug. 14 in the Kansas Wesleyan University Student Activities Center. Pre-registration is required. To register, go to myheartcheck.org.
"While growing up in Salina, I experience numerous symptoms from an undiagnosed congenital heart defect, but just moved forward while doctors struggled to diagnose my problem. I feel blessed nothing serious happened to me in my youth," said event organizer Barry Weis. "While training for a half-marathon later in life I experienced new, more serious symptoms. It was then my heart defect was discovered. During my recovery from open heart surgery, I began to research how I might return to an active lifestyle. In that research I learned of the devastating toll sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is having on children, particularly young athletes. I felt compelled to act!"
The testing will include comprehensive heart testing, including EKG and echocardiogram for just $129. Financial assistance is available. According to information from Wise, these tests can cost as much as $1,500 at most medical facilities. Additionally, the Salina Fire Department will also be on-hand to teach basis CPR techniques and AED usage.
Wise, of Salina, founded the BNB initiative and has a mission to eradicate SCA among children. To learn more about the BNB organization, visit backnblack.org.