The 5th International SADS Foundation Conference is an event that you won't want to miss! On Saturday, October 1st, families and physicians will come together to learn from the experts.

New this year will be Sunday sessions (8:45 am-12:30 pm) on the Importance of Screening Family Members, SADS "Keeping Hearts Beating" Awareness Campaign, AED Sudden Death Safety Net - Can it Work?, Fundraising for SADS and Ask an Expert Panel.

Special SADSConnect activities (ages 9-18) will be held on Saturday and Sunday at the same time as the adult sessions-including a video project and CPR training.

And, Saturday night we'll have a special Gala 20th Anniversary and Volunteer Awards Dinner-hosted by Dr. Michael Vincent, the Founder of the SADS Foundation. Oh, and did we mention registration is 50% off until September 1st?  Register your family today!

 

See the conference agenda.

Dr. Sami Viskin of Tel Aviv University's Sackler Faculty of Medicine and Scientific Adviser to the SADS Foundation has recently published research in the Journal of The American College of Cardiology regarding a new method for screening for conditions that cause sudden death.  Dr. Viskin developed a special test called the "Viskin Test" to better recognize patients with a higher risk of sudden cardiac arrest, specifically athletes.

Dr. Sami Viskin

The "Viskin Test" is based on Dr. Viskin's discovery that slight abnormalities between normal and at-risk patients could suddenly be made more visible using a simple bedside test that requires a subject to suddenly stand up. When standing, at-risk patients will experience a measurable difference in a portion of their heart rate called the QT interval. The difference can be detected by an electrocardiogram (ECG).

Read more. 

Last month we told you about our family "safety net" system in which we reach out to all areas of a community upon hearing of the loss of a young person. We speak with hospitals, medical examiners, school personnel, family members, local physicians, and local media to try to create better awareness and education and provide support in a community affected by such a tragic loss.  

  

Much time goes into researching information on the appropriate medical examiner or coroner when we hear about these deaths.  Now, we're asking SADS volunteers to help us with this important task so that we can act even faster in the event of a sudden death. 

 

Here's how you can help NOW:

1. Find the contact information for your local medical examiner/coroner via google, your state health department, etc.  We can help you get started, just give us a call or email. 
2. Email Adrienne or call 800-786-7723 with the contact information for your ME/Coroner.   
3. We will then send you the SADS ME/Coroner information kit to provide to your ME/Coroner or if you prefer, we can send them the information directly.  

For more information, questions, and to get involved contact Adrienne or call 800-786-7723.

 

Working together we can help families who have suffered a loss find answers and support in their time of need.   

Are you looking for a unique way to support the SADS Foundation? Join us and sponsor a climber for the 2011 Climb to Conquer SADS! July 7-9, our professional climbers will ascend Mt. Rainier in Washington State - carrying your family's or company's flag to the summit.  It's an easy and fun project for your family...and will make a huge difference in the number of people we can reach.

SADS Attends the American College of Cardiology

Annual Scientific Sessions

Alice Lara & Christine Fontanella attended this year's American College of Cardiology (ACC) Annual Scientific Sessions in New Orleans from April 2-5. 

The ACC conference presents a great opportunity for us to meet with physician experts who are attending the sessions as well as to network with our many important corporate partners. As always, the sessions were filled with cutting-edge science and were presented and attended by some of the leading cardiovascular experts world-wide.

 

This year one of our conference goals was to speak to exhibiting companies who might be interested in attending and sponsoring our upcoming International Conference in Atlanta. We were greeted with excitement about the CME event and look forward to seeing everyone in October in Atlanta.  We also had the pleasure of sitting down with representatives from both cardiac device companies and genetic testing laboratories to further discuss our educational and awareness plans for 2011. An industry-sponsored event for the SCAC steering committee provided a wonderful opportunity to meet face-to-face with our colleagues and meet some physician researchers .  All in all, the conference was very successful and we have already begun our preparations for attendance at our next major event, the Heart Rhythm Society Annual Scientific Sessions in San Francisco next month.