North Texas Giving Day, September 19th, is quickly approaching and we need YOU to help us win the fight against sudden cardiac arrest in youth! First started in 2009, Communities Foundations of Texas’…
Cody’s Law is Here: What You Need to Know
If you live in Texas, you have undoubtedly heard recent news of Cody’s Law passing the Texas legislature this year. Let’s face it: new laws can be hard to understand—and even harder to read! What does this new law mean…
Are All Screening Programs Created Equal?
You’ve made your decision: this is the year you will sign your teens up for a heart screening. Congratulations! You are taking charge of your family’s health and securing peace of mind for future years as your kids achieve their dreams. Yet with so many medical terms like ECG and ECHO floating around, you may wonder what type of process is needed for your child. Aren’t all screening programs the same, anyway? The team at Living for Zachary (L4Z) knows that not all screening processes are created equal. We believe that it takes a unique, multi-faceted approach to screen youth …
10 Years Later: A Legacy Worth Fighting For
June 19, 2019 marked Living for Zachary’s ten-year anniversary. As we look back over the last decade, Zac’s legacy and impact around our state is palpable. What started as a mission borne out of grief and a desire to save families from this same grief has become something far greater. Zac’s story is no longer one of heartbreak—it is one of hope and promise as Living for Zachary works each day to provide families and organizations the tools they need to protect teens from Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA). Take a look at some of Living for Zachary’s impacts in heart screenings …
Summer is Here! Are You Ready?
It’s that wonderful time of year for our children—summer is here! With long days, warm temperatures (let’s face it, HOT temperatures here in Texas!), and fun in the sun ahead, we all want to make sure our children are protected whether they are in our care or someone else’s. Does your child participate in a summer camp, club, or sports team? Do you entrust the care of your kid to a nanny or babysitter? If you answered “Yes” to any of these questions, this means that your child will be spending a great deal of time with adults who may …
Callie Banks: Turning A Dream Into Reality
Callie Banks was an avid volleyball player competing at the Club Level as well as on the Allen High School volleyball team. On September 21, 2010, while playing in a high school volleyball game, Callie collapsed on the court and had no pulse. Luckily, there was a physician, two trauma nurses, and an off-duty EMT/firefighter among the spectators. CPR was started within seconds and an AED was applied twice by the physician in attendance, then again by the paramedics when they arrived. Callie had been shocked 5 times with the defibrillator before being care-flighted to Children’s Hospital. She spent 10 …
A Mother’s Intuition
Charles “Bryce” Deegear, a 16-year-old boy from Aledo, Texas, has always been an active boy. Bryce started playing tee ball at the age of seven and he later moved onto playing football and soccer. At Bryce’s first tee ball practice, his parents noticed signs that something was not right with their son. At practice, he got his first hit and ran to first base, then slowly to second base, and when he got to third base he fell to the ground. His parents took him to the emergency room immediately. The Deegear’s were told that the reason Bryce collapsed was …
Joyce Tiong : Going Above and Beyond
During the summer of 2018, we had the privilege of having Joyce join the Living for Zachary team as a summer intern. “By interning for Living for Zachary, I gained a better understanding of what it takes to run a successful non-profit. I love the organization’s mission, and I was fortunate to help them make a difference in the lives of Texas youth this past summer” says Joyce. Joyce decided to join us after she was awarded the Living for Zachary Academic Scholarship in 2017. She graduated from Allen High School in 2017. During her time at Allen, she discovered …
A Unique Heart: Trevor Hunter
Trevor Hunter is a 13-year-old boy who plays football, basketball, baseball, and runs track. Trevor is the youngest of three children to David and Kathy Hunter. David Hunter has worked for Medtronic for more than 20 years and has previously served on the HeartBeats Gala Planning Committee. David and Kathy have both attended the Living for Zachary HeartBeats Gala for many years now and have been involved with Living for Zachary since the beginning. They knew from the start they would get their children screened once they were all within the age limit necessary to receive a Living for Zachary …
Remembering a Life, Building a Legacy
Zachary Richard Swirczynski was a friend to all and dedicated to excellence in academics and athletics. Zach was born to Dale (Bubba) and Jill Mollenkopf Swirczynski on October 4, 1988 in Muenster, Texas. Zach proudly watched over his sisters Tara and Hillary with his trademark smirking smile, goofy outgoing personality and bright blue eyes. From an early age, it was evident that although a momma’s boy, Zach had inherited his dad’s athletic genes; and while he excelled in all sports, football was his true passion. He wore jersey number 45, throughout his football career, to honor his Grandpa George …