SPRING VALLEY, Calif. — Sunday marked a milestone for the Eric Paredes Save a Life Foundation as they helped their 40,000th teen get their heart screened through their free event. Eric Paredes died at just 15 years old from sudden cardiac arrest. His parents created the foundation in his honor to help others.
The screening event included a cardiac risk assessment, medical consultation and how to use CPR and an AED. By the end of the day, about 467 teens were screened, nine of those people were found to have cardiac abnormalities that required follow-up and four serious enough to be at risk for sudden cardiac arrest.
“it's really bittersweet, its bitter in many ways that we're here but it's sweet that were able to raise awareness of sudden cardiac arrest,” Eric Paredes Save a Life Foundation Co-Founder Hector Paredes said.
Steele Canyon High School, the place where the event was hosted, is a very special place for Eric and his family. It's the school where Eric attended and where the foundation hosted their first ever screening. His father Hector says more work still needs to be done to spread the message.
“It excites me to see that people are supporting this and the word is getting out that kids need to get heart screened,” Paredes said.
Since 2010, the Eric Paredes Save a Life Foundation has hosted 70 screening events that have led to roughly 600 teens finding conditions that warranted follow-ups. One of those people is Lauren Ewing who volunteered in Sunday's event.
“I was screened as a teen and had my first EKG in my lifetime where I was flagged for cardiac abnormalities,” Ewing said.
Lauren tells CBS 8 that she was diagnosed with prolonged QT Syndrome, she received the help to keep her heart beating regularly. Now, she works in the medical field and felt an urge to give back.
“Really full circle and it's kind of a positive light shed on a potentially difficult negative situation,” Ewing said.
The next screening is set for April 21 in the South Bay. For more information visit epsavealife.org
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