West Bloomfield Student Drives Heart Health Awareness Initiative
In the heart of West Bloomfield, a remarkable initiative is taking shape, driven by the passion and dedication of high school student Matilda Evardsson. Inspired by recent tragedies and a desire to promote heart health, Matilda has launched the “WB Has Heart” program, dedicated to raising awareness about sudden cardiac arrest among students.
A Personal Journey Towards Awareness
Matilda’s journey began during a routine physical ahead of her volleyball season. During the examination, her doctor informed her about the alarming rise in sudden cardiac arrests in young athletes. She recalled heartbreaking stories, such as the tragic case of Simon Mirkes, a 16-year-old from Farmington Hills who collapsed and died from cardiac issues while hiking in Alaska in 2023. Moreover, the concerning incident involving Bronny James, the son of NBA superstar LeBron James, further fueled her drive to make a difference. She shared on her website, wbhasaheart.com, “This sparked my passion for understanding how communities can prevent student deaths from sudden cardiac arrest.”
A Day of Action: World Restart a Heart Day
Matilda, along with fellow West Bloomfield juniors Sofia Zholob and Amarina Kriko, teamed up with Corewell Health and the West Bloomfield Fire Department to observe World Restart a Heart Day on October 16. They successfully trained over 150 students and staff in hands-only CPR, marking a significant stride in community education. Blake Belsky, captain of the fire department’s EMS division, praised Matilda’s efforts, stating, “Matilda has taken an important idea and developed a really fantastic program.”
The Path to Becoming a Heart Safe School
Matilda’s vision for West Bloomfield High School is ambitious yet clear: to become a Michigan Heart Safe School. This involves implementing several crucial initiatives, including:
- Providing free Student Heart Checks on February 1, 2025, in collaboration with Corewell Health
- Securing MICHIGAN HEARTSafe School designation by preparing for cardiac emergencies
- Offering free CPR Training to students and staff
- Fundraising through the sale of “WB Has Heart” merchandise
- Inviting speakers to educate the school community on heart health
- Organizing games and prizes to engage students in heart health awareness leading up to Valentine’s Day 2025
The Importance of CPR Training
Firefighter paramedic Avery Wright emphasized the significance of CPR training, stating, “CPR is the most crucial treatment, and the faster it can be administered the better—before 911 gets there is the gold standard.” He expressed pride in the engagement of students and felt confident that they would respond effectively in case of an emergency.
Screening Successes
Jennifer Shea, manager of student heart screening at Corewell Health, noted the unprecedented level of student participation in their programs, stating, “We’ve never had student engagement at this level in the 17 years we’ve been doing this.” With about one in every 100 students screened requiring follow-up, she highlighted the importance of heart screenings, which are not usually part of standard sports physicals and are seldom covered by insurance unless there’s a family history of heart conditions.
Mark Your Calendars!
Come February 1, 2025, Matilda and her hardworking team are set to provide 22 heart screening exam areas in the high school gym, with sign-ups opening six weeks before the event. With 12 cardiologists already committed to supporting the initiative, this event promises to be a significant stepping stone in promoting heart health awareness among West Bloomfield students.
Thanks to the relentless efforts of students like Matilda and her team, the future looks brighter for heart health awareness in schools, and communities are coming together to ensure the safety and well-being of their youth.
