With COVID-19 impacting every aspect of daily life in 2020, it was a year of uncertainty and difficulty for many families across North Texas. At Living for Zachary, we knew that continuing to provide youth heart screenings at no cost was crucial to continuing the fight against sudden cardiac arrest in our community. After spring screening events were put on hold, we planned and waited, ready to reach more families than ever before in Fall 2020. The result? A record-breaking fall heart screening season unlike anything in Living for Zachary’s history.
Take a look at a few of our greatest successes from Living for Zachary’s Heart Screening Program in 2020:
Adjusting to our Community’s Needs
New circumstances require new modes of operation. With our Heart Screening Program put on hold in Spring 2020, we thoughtfully shifted and adapted our heart screening protocol to safely welcome youth once again in August. Among new changes to screening events were:
- Required face masks for all in attendance
- Rigorous cleaning procedures
- COVID-19 screening questions
- Appropriately spaced waiting rooms and social distancing measures
As we work to protect young hearts during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing patients, volunteers, and medical staff with a comfortable and clean environment continues to be an utmost priority for Living for Zachary.
New Screening Locations and Partnerships
Living for Zachary hosted 13 free youth heart screening events in locations all over North Texas this fall. Many cities were new to our organization, allowing us to impact previously unreached communities with this important program.
We were honored to partner with local YMCA chapters and other youth-based organizations to provide a wide array of screening opportunities for youth. Thank you to all those who welcomed us and our screening recipients into their facilities:
- Brock ISD
- First Christian Church McKinney
- Ring of Hope: The Colony
- The Well Student Center: Argyle
- Grand Prairie Family YMCA
- Lake Sharon Community Church: Corinth
- Denton ISD
- Lake Highlands Family YMCA
- Chase Oaks Church Legacy Campus: Plano
- Park South Family YMCA
Milestones Reached
Over the course of four months from August – November 2020, 575 youth received a Living for Zachary Heart Screening for free. This record-breaking season would not have been possible without so many who worked with us to ensure families could help protect their children’s hearts in the midst of a difficult year. We are grateful for the work of our screening partners, event hosts, volunteers, and donors who dedicate their time and passion to expand our programs to new communities each year.
Giving children a healthier future is at the heart of what we do. Thank you to the hundreds of families who trusted Living for Zachary to screen the hearts they love in 2020.
