U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone said CDC statistics show one student athlete falls victim to SCA every three to four days.
Edison High School football star Kittim Sherrod died of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in 2009. (NJ Advance Media File Photo) EDISON -- Moved by the death of Edison High School football star Kittim Sherrod's death in 2009, U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. on Monday announced legislation to combat Sudden Cardiac Arrest, the leading cause of death on school property.
"All too often, otherwise healthy young people die suddenly from Sudden Cardiac Arrest - a silent killer that strikes 7,000 children a year," Pallone said in a statement.
"Raising awareness about the causes of Sudden Cardiac Arrest and ensuring schools are more prepared to deal with cardiac emergencies are the first steps in preventing these tragic deaths," the congressman said.
Pallone (D-NJ 6th District) appeared Monday at Edison High School's football field with Assemblyman Patrick Diegnan (D-South Plainfield) to announce the introduction of the Cardiomyopathy Health Education, Awareness, Risk Assessment and Training in the Schools (HEARTS) Act.
Pallone and Diegnan were joined by Edison High School students, teachers and administrators, along with Sherrod's grandmother Razeenah Walker.
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An Edison High School senior, Sherrod, 17, was a standout football player who was well-known for his dedication to football and his team.
Sherrod was running during track practice near the school when he collapsed. He later died at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick.
Family members said Sherrod died of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
The HEARTS Act would require officials to work with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as patient advocacy and health professional organizations, to develop educational materials and resources on cardiomyopathy for public awareness and distribute materials to schools, teachers and parents.
The act calls for guidelines regarding the placement of life-saving automated external defibrillators in schools, as well as information on cardiopulmonary resuscitation training.
"Providing this valuable information about cardiomyopathy and SCA to families, schools, and childcare centers is an important step in helping to save young lives," Pallone said in the statement.
In the U.S. there are 600,000 people with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy and there are nearly one million with other conditions that can cause SCA in young people, Pallone said, citing statistics from the CDC.
Pallone said CDC statistics show one student athlete falls victim to SCA every three to four days.
Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.