{"id":1026509,"date":"2026-08-27T02:09:15","date_gmt":"2026-08-27T02:09:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/1026509\/"},"modified":"2026-08-27T02:09:15","modified_gmt":"2026-08-27T02:09:15","slug":"san-antonio-nonprofit-urges-free-teen-heart-screenings-after-recent-student-athlete-deaths","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/1026509\/","title":{"rendered":"San Antonio nonprofit urges free teen heart screenings after recent student-athlete deaths"},"content":{"rendered":"

SAN ANTONIO<\/strong> \u2013 After several recent deaths involving Texas high school football players, a San Antonio nonprofit is reminding parents that hidden heart conditions can affect any teen.<\/p>\n

Stevens High School player Jaren Lawson<\/a> died in February from a symptomless heart condition. This month, a Lake Travis player died<\/a> after a medical emergency at practice. His exact cause of death is still pending.<\/p>\n

The August Heart Foundation has spent 15 years providing free heart screenings for local teens. The organization was founded by Dore Koontz and her family after her son, August, died suddenly in 2008 at age 18.<\/p>\n

Koontz described August as \u201camazing, fun, witty\u201d and \u201cvery energetic,\u201d with lots of friends. His family had no warning that he had a heart condition.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, that\u2019s the scariest thing about this whole situation,\u201d Koontz said. \u201cHe was super active. He played sports, he worked out in between sports.\u201d<\/p>\n

August died from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a condition that causes thickening of the heart muscle. Koontz said the condition can make it harder for electrical impulses to move through the heart.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are no symptoms except for sudden cardiac arrest,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Through its free screenings, the August Heart Foundation has performed more than 104,000 electrocardiograms, or ECGs, and has detected almost 450 children with symptomless, life-threatening heart conditions.<\/p>\n

Koontz said the screenings are possible because of volunteer doctors and community support.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are so lucky to have the doctors that volunteer,\u201d she said. \u201cEverything\u2019s for free, and then if the doctors, if there\u2019s an issue, then we will help facilitate.\u201d<\/p>\n

The foundation\u2019s most recent screening was held during a back-to-school day event at the Frost Bank Center. Koontz said one child was identified with what she believed was Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, a heart rhythm condition.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust finding that one child was worth all of it,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Koontz said her biggest message is for parents whose children are not in sports. While many student-athletes undergo physicals and screenings, she said non-athletes can be missed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe want everybody tested because it\u2019s not just athletes that get this screening,\u201d Koontz said. \u201cIt\u2019s girls, boys and the school districts don\u2019t require the non-athletic students to get it.\u201d<\/p>\n

She said August did not die on a football field. He died in his sleep.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s less than five minutes, it\u2019s painless, it\u2019s free, and it\u2019s so important to get your teens screened,\u201d Koontz said.<\/p>\n

Koontz said treatments are available for many of these heart conditions when they are detected early, allowing children to continue living active lives.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt does save lives,\u201d Koontz said.<\/p>\n

Any group or school district interested in hosting a screening event can contact the August Heart Foundation by calling 210-267-2771 or emailing info@augustheart.org.<\/p>\n

The organization also has its main fundraising event coming up in October, and donations can be made through its website<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Read also:<\/b> <\/p>\n