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It's a Wonderful Life ... Really!

12/19/2018

“I could only be grateful when I realized that I would rather have known you for a moment than never at all. I would rather endure this inexplicable pain of outliving you than to never have seen your face, spoken your name. I would rather be yours, and you be mine, regardless. Regardless of the sorrow, the sleepless nights, and the years I will walk this earth, carrying you in my heart.” ~Scribbles & Crumbs

I saw this quote today and had to share it with you. One of mine & Anthony's favorite movies is "It's a Wonderful Life!" We used to watch it together as a Christmas tradition. We could not imagine what our world would be like without our loved ones and the impact on each other's lives. But the unimaginable happened to me and to many parents I have met over these past 18 Christmas's since Anthony left this earth. It took me a few years after he passed to watch the movie once again. After many tissues and tears, I have come to realize the importance of his short life & my continued life, too. The impact that he has had on me, and many many others is immeasurable. This time of year brings me to the reflective moments of the experiences of the year(s) past and the hope for the months & year ahead.

My wish for you and yours is to connect with your loved ones deeper than in past experiences. Life is short (don't I know that) and life is beautiful, too! Enjoy your time with family and friends this holiday season and love deeper than ever before! You too can have a positive impact on and in the world we share together. Simple acts of kindness go a long way! Make it a great day and a magical year ahead!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year my friends!

Sudden Cardiac Arrest: WHAT you should know and WHY!

11/7/2018

Sometimes it seems hard to believe but we’ve now screened over 14,000 hearts! Besides that impressive number, the more crucial 'why' you need to know factors that lead to SCA is that 1 in 7 people screened show some type of abnormality, sometimes life threatening - 1 in 42 people screened!

High Blood Pressure: To date we've had approximately 705 participants with seriously high blood pressure. This one should come as no surprise, considering how often we hear about it. Hypertension affects as many as 1 in 4 American adults and can increase your risk of developing heart disease and stroke. Treating high blood pressure can be as simple as modifying your diet and exercise in some cases. Others may need some help from beta blockers or other medication.

Possible HCM: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a disorder we talk about frequently because it's what took Sharon's son, Anthony Bates, from us far too soon. It often goes undiagnosed because people will show few if any symptoms. Many people can go on to live perfectly normal lives with this diagnosis, however, for others, it can cause the thickening of heart muscles that lead to shortness of breath, chest pain or problems in the heart’s electrical system. We've found more than 244 potential cases of HCM to date.

Genetic Dysfunctions: This generally pertains to holes in the heart (Patent ductus arteriosus, Atrial septal defect and Ventricular septal defect). We’ve found 41 holes in the heart throughout the years. These holes can happen at different places in the heart and lead to different problems. Some of these defects may not require treatment, they can even close on their own as you grow. These holes can put additional stress on your heart and lungs and could also lead to fluid build up. All people with this type of defect should be followed by a cardiologist in the event any complications develop.

ECG/EKG Anomalies: With over 500 anomalies found, an abnormal ECG/EKG can mean any number of things, which is why we refer you to a specialist when we see one! Sometimes, an abnormal EKG could just be a normal variation of your heart’s rhythm. Other times it could mean that your heart has some sort of blockage or it’s working harder to pump blood.

Other more serious complications include Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome and Long QT Syndrome. WPW is an extra electrical pathway in your heart that can cause rhythm problems. Though some people may never experience symptoms, a disruption to the heart’s rhythm can also lead to sudden cardiac arrest. This is a fairly rare disorder, but we’ve found it in nearly 20 screening participants! Long QT syndrome is another electrical issue that can lead to rapid and erratic heartbeats. These episodes can trigger fainting, seizing, even sudden death.

Most people who come to our screenings are completely healthy, but nothing beats the peace of mind that comes with an expert's opinion. You just never know what dangers may lie underneath a seemingly healthy surface; perhaps a "ticking time bomb" in your chest!

That's 'why' your support, at this holiday season, is so crucial to helping our mission; to spare another family the unbearable pain of losing a child or loved one before their time. Every $100 donated helps us screen another child's heart and pay for needed new equipment so we can "screen more young hearts and save more young lives!"

Want to have YOUR heart screened? Check out our events and schedule an appointment today!

And, by the way, you can make a tax deductible donation right on our homepage. That's 'what' you need to know as well. You already know 'why'!

Another KSU family reunion & heart screening!

10/23/2018

Tomorrow Sharon heads out to Kansas State University (KSU) for their annual screening, back to where it all began. Kansas State played a huge part in Anthony’s life, even before he joined the football team. Before moving back to Phoenix from Wichita in the 6th grade, Anthony loved watching Kansas State football with his family (even if they were one of the worst college teams in the league!). While the Bates Family lived in Wichita, the tides turned for K-State with the introduction of Coach Bill Snyder.

Anthony started playing football at the age of 10 (Sharon even coached his first two seasons). Once he reached high school, he played on the Freshman, JV and Varsity teams for Mountain Pointe. Anthony had always wanted to play for Kansas State in college, and by the time he was ready to go, they were actually winning. He wasn’t considered for a KSU scholarship his first year out of high school, so he headed to Phoenix College to continue playing football.

Though Anthony was getting some attention from the coaching staff at Kansas State during his first season, it wasn’t until the second season that Defensive Line Coach Mo Latimore started making some calls. Coach Latimore called to talk to both Sharon and Anthony to get an idea of how he was doing as a student and if he was still passionate about playing. In the end, Coach Latimore still decided not to move forward with Anthony. By some twist of fate, Anthony’s name was left on a list for Coach Bill Snyder to call. Even though Anthony explained there had been some kind of mistake, Coach Snyder still took 30 minutes out of his day to get to know him a little better.

Right after Anthony and Coach Snyder had the chance to talk, assistant coaches Bobby and Mike Stoops were causing some serious drama over at Kansas State. Mike was offered a job at the University of Oklahoma and took half the recruits with him. Couple that with a hard loss at the 1999 bowl game and Anthony finally got his call. He was off to Kansas on January 2nd, 1999.

As a late recruit, Anthony did receive the usual wellness physical. But, back then, no heart check was included. Coincidentally, the next opportunity for a physical would have been the day after his truck accident and Sudden Cardiac Death. As ironic as that may seem, it wouldn’t have mattered. To our understanding, no NCAA Division I college athletic program was utilizing any sort of heart screening technology, and Anthony’s disease would not have been caught.

Kansas State University and Coach Snyder have been absolutely integral in the development of the Anthony Bates Foundation (ABF). They’ve continued to offer their support, host screenings, and collaborate with strategic partnerships throughout the years. Had Anthony gone to any other school, we know the support would not have been the same. Coach Snyder has always emphasized the importance of family, and he never hesitated to make us part of his. As Coach Snyder said, “there is no appropriate time for death,” but Anthony’s passing has not been in vain. With the support of Coach Snyder and Kansas State University, Kansas State Alumni Association, Kansas State Foundation, and the entire Manhattan, KS community we’ve screened over 14,200. Plus, ABF has trained over 75 organizations across the country & worldwide that have screened over 600,000 young hearts. Our efforts combined have saved THOUSANDS of families from the same loss, and we have no intention of stopping. We strive to do better each day!

Be part of Anthony's legacy, dig deep down in your HEART to donate now to allow us to screen more hearts & save more lives! Visit www.anthonybates.org/donations.html

"Screening young hearts and Saving young lives!"

How much is a life worth?

10/10/2018

Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness month reminds us of that value! In case you haven’t heard yet, October is Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness month! Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is the leading cause of death in the US, claiming more than 350,000 lives each year. SCA can happen to anyone at any time, even in those who have displayed no prior symptoms. Typically, SCA is caused by an electrical or structural problem, but it can also result from infection or a severe hit to the chest.

Over 90% of the time, SCA is fatal. Defibrillation is essential to saving lives, but if this is not administered in the first 6 minutes, the victim will most likely be lost. Chest compression and CPR can also be crucial to bridging the time between SCA and the arrival of an automated external defibrillator (AED).

Risk factors for sudden death are not easy to identify, so being proactive can be key. As the name suggests, these symptoms set quickly and may not be obvious at first. Researchers recently have identified that the majority of victims have minor symptoms such as dizziness, chest pains or shortness of breath, occurring anywhere from four weeks to one hour before the event. Although these may not seem severe, when it comes to matters of heart, they should never be taken lightly.

In Anthony Bates’ case, SCA stemmed from undiagnosed Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM). HCM makes the heart muscle abnormally thick and can cause unusual rhythms that can be life threatening for some. It’s the most common cardiac genetic disorder and probably the most well known cause of death among young high school and college athletes. Because this issues leading up to a SCA often goes undiagnosed until collapse, it is crucial be proactive.

Though he’s greatly missed, Anthony’s legacy has led us to save over 29,000 lives saved since his death. We’ve trained over 75 teams to offer heart screenings to youth and adults nationwide. That means over 650,000 hearts screened, and we have no intention of slowing down.

Come celebrate Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness month with us at an upcoming screening! Whether you have concerning symptoms, family history or are in the prime of your life, everyone can use a little peace of mind. Check out our events page and book your screening today!

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

10/4/2018

What is it about food that brings people together? Being able to make a dish and share it with the ones you love goes back to the very beginnings of tradition, and it truly represents a special bond. There’s nothing quite like making a recipe that’s been passed down through generations, eating the same foods our great grandparents used to, and making new memories along the way. Yes, there’s definitely something special about coming together to create and share a meal that carries a legacy with it.

Here at the Anthony Bates Foundation, we also cherish the bonding experience that comes from making and sharing a meal. 11 years ago, we decided to reach out to our community and create a cookbook of our own. Tastes of Heaven was truly a labor of love from all of our wonderful families and friends. We gathered all types of recipes and even included some of Anthony’s favorites (Corn Casserole was a major standout!).

Whenever we share our family recipes, we share a little bit of our own story and the people in it. We have the chance to remember those that may no longer be with us while we create new memories of our own. It’s because of this that we are pleased to share with you Tastes of Heaven Volume 2. With nearly twice as many recipes, you’ve got double the opportunity to set aside some time to prepare great meals to share with family and friends. I’ve personally tried a couple recipes and you will not be disappointed. Easy Strawberry Cake with Strawberry Sauce was (courtesy of Cindy Baker. a longtime friend & ultrasound volunteer) and the Gluten Free Melting Moments (courtesy of Pat Paxton, a longtime friend) are the ideal treats for an office potluck. The Cook-Top Cove: Ground Beef Stroganoff in the Slow Cooker (courtesy of Laura Martin, ABF volunteer) is a perfect fast-and-easy weeknight meal that is sure to keep the whole family satisfied. With over 275 recipes, there’s a little bit of something for everyone, and it's the perfect secret weapon with the holiday season fast approaching!

Think about all the important people in your life, family and friends, past and present, with which you’ve shared meals, and the happiness, joy, love, and memories surrounding them. Rekindle those memories and make new ones today by visiting our website. You can order your copy of Tastes of Heaven Volume 2 NOW! And while you’re at it, why not pick up 4 extra copies (and get 2 FREE) to make perfect holiday gifts “from the heart”. All proceeds will help us with our continuing mission to “screen more hearts and save more lives”. With every heart screened, we get to expand our community, share our purpose and develop connections with one another. And it should come as no surprise: we always bring the food!

Now, that’s “food for thought!”

Reconnecting to Save Lives!

9/25/2018

This past weekend we hosted a heart screening event with our friends over at Chandler MMA. On average we try to have 2-3 screenings per month, but this one was extra special because it all happened by chance encounter.

It’s not unusual for us to repeat screenings at local schools and doctors’ offices, but this was actually our second screening event with Master Paul McGowan of Chandler MMA. We did our first screening with Master McGowan at the Polar Ice Complex back in 2007. We had a turnout of 139 people and found nearly 10% of participants had some sort of abnormality that needed further review from a cardiologist. Overall it was a fantastic event, and Master McGowan was amazingly supportive of our mission. Sadly, we lost touch with him over the years.

Fast forward to Summer 2018: We’re gearing up for a full season of heart screenings and determined to get more people to attend. We’ve made community outreach a huge priority in an effort to share our story and screen more hearts. By chance, Chandler MMA just happened to show up on our list of outreach for the day and we were so glad it did! Master McGowan responded to us enthusiastically and immediately wanted to host another event of his own. Master McGowan is an incredibly athletic guy, and he values his health. He’s continued to praise and support our mission, calling it an essential tool for peace of mind for any athlete or child. He’s undoubtedly passed this sentiment onto his students too.

Of course, we were happy to host another screening with Master McGowan. All totaled we screened over 50 hearts, and while we are still waiting on those results, we couldn’t be more satisfied with the outcome. We recruited volunteers from his employees, student body, even his family and put them to work at our blood pressure table, ECG/EKG stations and data entry. This event could not have been what it was without Master McGowan, his dojo, and the great community surrounding us.

Community has been and will continue to be the main driver of our success. There’s nothing we like to hear more than our friends and donors sharing our message among communities of their own. That’s how we find people like Master McGowan, who so strongly support our mission that they become evangelists themselves. If you’re reading this, we encourage you to think of friends, families and colleagues that could be in need of our services. The good news is, if you have a heart, you’re qualified to get screened! And there’s no cost too great for peace of mind.

Be sure to check out our upcoming screenings on the events page!

Don’t see one that works for you? Give us a call!
Never had a screening? Give us a call!
Haven't had a screening in the last 2 years? Give us a call!
Want to make a difference? Give us a call!

Can the new Apple Watch save your life?

9/19/2018

Apple just announced its newest addition to the Apple Watch family: the Series 4. While it boasts a lot of new features like, like enhanced work out detection and larger screen, but can you guess what we’re most excited about? The new Apple Watch can take ECG readings and mail them directly to your doctor. Later iterations will even provide notifications for irregular heart rhythms. But is this enough to help in the fight against sudden cardiac arrest?

The ECG was invented in the late 1800s. It’s the machine that displays the squiggly lines, and always flatlines in TV dramas. It is used to detect abnormal heart rhythms and diagnose electrical conditions and heart attacks. It is also a good indicator for certain structural conditions. It is a very useful piece of equipment, but not all ECGs are created equal.

Most ECGs found in a doctor’s office or hospitals have 12 leads and allow you to conduct a reading at multiple points throughout the body. The Apple Watch is a one lead ECG so it monitors the heart rhythm from one spot on the body. This technology shows lots of promise, but it does not collect enough detail to diagnose heart conditions . . . yet.

Why does this matter? Sudden cardiac arrest is the leading cause of death of adults in the United States. It is the #1 cause of death of student athletes and takes the lives of thousands of children every year. Eighteen years ago, my son, Anthony, became one of those statistics. The Anthony Bates Foundation was created to raise awareness about heart disease and sudden cardiac arrest in children as well as create a heart screening program accessible to students and families. Let me offer this real-life scenario to illustrate my point.

Sam is thirteen. He complains that his heart races. It is hard to know what this really means because Sam is the only one who feels his symptoms. Does Sam consume too much caffeine? Is he an anxious kid? Does he have a heart condition?

Sam comes to one of our screening days in the fall 2014. After getting an ECG (12 lead), he is diagnosed with Wolff Parkinson White Syndrome - an electrical condition the can often lead to sudden cardia arrest. It is possible that the new Apple Watch would have recorded his racing heart. This would’ve provided his parents and doctor with clues about his complaints. It could have led to further testing, the 12 lead ECG, to diagnose his condition. In other words, the watch could have taken the ambiguity out of Sam’s description.

Following his diagnosis, Sam underwent a medical procedure called an ablation (right after my son’s 14th AngelDay. Coincidence?). Now, Sam is completely healthy and doing well in high school and in the band.

We should celebrate this new advancement for what it is. It brings affordable medical technology into our homes. It empowers consumers with valuable information. It raises awareness about heart health. It will give our children insight into how hard their heart works every day. It will help them understand how their heart behaves in certain situations. There’s no doubt that this will lead to a better quality of life.

In the meantime, get your child’s heart screened. Check Out our heart screening calendar on AZ & KS. And our friends at Simon's Heart have a national list, too! Check Out their list! A heart screening could save a child's life. Like Sam & many others!

Bill Snyder - "They Said It Couldn't Be Done..."

1/30/2018

It was the last week of July, 2000, when Anthony Bates, a Wildcat defensive tackle called his mom, Sharon, at her home in Phoenix, Arizona. During small talk, he complained of being out of shape, suggesting that maybe too much soda during the summer was taking its toll.
The Mountain Pointe High School and Phoenix College product's voice was alarming enough for his mother to call his K-State position coach, Mo Latimore, asking if he would check in on her son.
Three days later, July 31, Latimore was back on the phone with Sharon, telling her that her son had been involved in an automobile accident and was dying.
Bates was returning to his apartment from what was called a light workout. An autopsy revealed that the muscular 20-year-old had passed out due to an undiagnosed Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM), a thickening of the heart for no apparent reason.
Bates' heart weight was 680 grams, or more than three times the size of a normal heart. Bates fell victim to the same disease that claimed the lives of basketball players Hank Gathers and Reggie Lewis.
"I guess how I look at it is the Lord felt Anthony had to have a big heart to handle all the goodness he demonstrated," said Snyder.
He added, "Regardless of your faith, you have to ask why? But some people put more life into 20 years
than others do in 80 years. It told his mother, there was enough affection and passion in their relationship
to last a lifetime."
But Snyder added, "That one hit us a little differently. We had 20-year-olds all around who knew it could have been them. It was a time when all of us rallied around the Bates family."
A service was help for Bates on August 5 at the All Faith's Chapel.
At the ceremony, teammate Jonathan McGraw played a violin solo.
"Having faith in God, and knowing Anthony, I know things are under control," McGraw said. "It shows you how fragile and temporary life is, but knowing Anthony, he's in heaven. For me that makes it a easier to handle."
Bates was an active kid who had played football since he was 9, as well as many other sport involving a ball.
Each year he would go through a standard sports physical. When he had surgery on his finger in his senior year of high school, an EKG was performed, but no hint of HCM was found. Sharon Bates would learn that HCM is a genetic heart disease that forms in the heart muscle, typically during adolescence. The surest way to detect the disease is through an echocardiogram of the heart.
Soon after her son's death, Sharon Bates founded the Anthony Bates Foundation in an effort to promote heart health and education through fund raisers and events.
"I needed to heal," Mrs. Bates said, "This was a very unfair thing for a parent to go through, and I want to prevent it from happening to others."
She promoted free cardiac screening events in Kansas, Arizona, and Nevada, targeting young student-athletes aged 14 and older.
She says of her mission, "With education there is power, with power comes life."

"She has attacked this mission with as much persistence as I ever have put into the game of football," said Snyder.

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Give a Gift of Life

1/18/2018

"Give a Gift of Life" by supporting the Anthony Bates Foundation Youth Cardiac Screening program. HCM crosses ALL age groups, ethnicities and genders. Young athletes represent only 15% of fatalities caused by HCM. It is the added physical exertion of the heart during exercise and the cool down phase of the heart that will cause a Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA).

The Anthony Bates Foundation (ABF) believes that no parent should suffer the heartbreak of losing a child to an undiagnosed cardiac malady; we seek to eliminate preventable Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA). The organization will fulfill its mission by continuing our efforts to establish a nationwide heart screening program for youth, free of charge or low cost, thus solving a significant public health issue through screenings, education, collaboration and facilitation.

Our program to screen youth 12 years and up is done through the generosity of donations from people like you. You can be a hero by making a donation today!

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An Unexpected Danger

1/18/2018

Sharon Bates is using her son’s sudden death from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in 2000 to help other young adults.
She does that by organizing free public cardiac screenings, six of which have been held in Arizona, where anybody can get checked for heart problems.

Anthony Bates was 20 years old when he died from undiagnosed HCM.   A graduate of Mountain Pointe High School in Phoenix, he was a member of the Kansas State University football team.

“He had been a member of the team for a year and a half and was going to start next year,” his mom said.

Anthony was in the weight room at school on the morning of his death. On his way home, he passed out behind the wheel. “Paramedics took him to the hospital, but he died,” Sharon Bates said. “That’s the problem with this. The only warning sign Anthony had was sudden death.”
            Bates said parents need to know that their children, even non-athletes, should be routinely checked and that they should be aggressive in getting treatment if their child is diagnosed with HCM, a congenital enlargement of the heart.
            “Be the advocate of your child’s health care,” she said.
The diseaseHCM is a genetic heart disease that forms in the heart muscle, usually in the teen years of life, according to Sharon’s Web site, anthonybates.org.

Although there is no cure, a person diagnosed with HCMA can live a normal life with proper treatment. Bates said 5,000 to 7,000 kids die of HCM every year. It is the leading cause of sudden cardiac death in young athletes.
The screeningsBates organized heart screenings in her son’s memory as a way to promote awareness of the disease and encourage parents to watch their teens for warning signs.
She has had support from cardiac physicians, heart screeners and nurses in offering screenings.
Reservations for the screenings aren’t required. They include echocardiograms and EKG tests, if necessary. Participants also must fill out a medical history form.
Five of the more than 170 people screened at an event this fall in Peoria were found to have heart abnormalities, Bates said. Abnormalities are usually found in six to 10 percent of the people who attend the screenings. She tells everyone with a newly detected abnormality to seek medical advice.
“It’s not a disappointment that we didn’t find more people,” she said. “But it’s exciting that we found some and can start leading them toward the path of educating themselves and taking care of their heart.”
The benefits

Rick Johnson, athletic director for the Peoria Unified School District, said he will encourage coaches to take their athletes to the Peoria presentation Jan. 22. He said too many young adults feel immortal but may have an undetected threat to their life. He also said teachers and staff should take advantage of the screenings.

“This is what makes them aware that they need to seek medical advice and maybe prolong their life,” he said.
What to look forThe American Heart Association recommends that young athletes have heart screenings every two years. Here are some warning signs of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Shortness of breath
Chest pains
Dizziness/blackouts.
Heart palpitations (racing heart).

By: Louie Villalobos
The Arizona Republic

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