Mission: Your child or a young person you know may be at risk for sudden cardiac death due to an inherited condition. He or she will appear healthy, and in most cases, you will have absolutely no idea that something might be wrong. Once diagnosed, these conditions are treatable. Without diagnosis and treatment, they can be fatal.
Nearly 4,000 children die each year due to undetected cardiac arrhythmias. One in 2,500 of them are at risk of a sudden cardiac arrest. These deaths can be prevented if more people are aware of the SADS warning signs. The Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndromes (SADS) Foundation is dedicated to saving the lives and supporting the families of young people genetically predisposed to sudden death due to cardiac arrhythmias.
Results: We are making great strides raising awareness of SADS. More people are learning the warning signs, and contacting the SADS Foundation if they think their child may possibly be affected. We applaud this effort, and hope that soon - every person will know what SADS stands for, what the warning signs are, and what to do.
Target demographics: Children, young people, and families
Geographic areas served: World-wide
Programs: The sads foundation is dedicated to providing information, assistance and hope related to this disease. In fulfilling this mission, the organization has the following goals: education: to educate health care providers and the lay public to promote early diagnosis and treatment. Patient services: to serve as a physician referral resource and to provide information to physicians who care for patients with cardiac arrhythmias. Support services: to assist all those affected by the sudden death of a young loved one, or who have been diagnosed with a cardiac arrhythmia by providing informational materials, facilitating support groups, and maintaining an active networking program. Public awareness: to inform families, physicians, and communities about the genetic cardiac arrhythmias in the young, and thereby prevent sudden cardiac death in young people. Research: to encourage research on genetic cardiovascular diseases predisposing the young to sudden death.
I cannot say enough about the dedicated people and the hard work that the SADS organization provides to the general public. They are dedicated to educating people about the dangers of SADS related conditions. More importantly, they provide encouragement and comfort to parents that have had to endure the loss of a child due to a SADS related syndrome. My father passed away at age 33 from a SADS related problem and I lost a sister in 1897 to the same malady. Nothing is worse than a premature death and a life cut short, especially when it may have been detected and potentially prevented.
I lost my youngest granddaughter on November 22, 2009. She had been treated for seizures for years. It was not until one horrible day we found out that her problem was Long QT. A gene problem that had been passed on from me to my daughter to Abbey. Our pain is so great we can hardly function. But because Abbey was such a giving and loving little girl we had to do something. Laura and all the people a SADS has been great. We have gotten so much love and support for everyone. We are always thinking of ways to raise money to better serve the organization and keep Abbey's memory alive. We are just a few, but that is all it takes. One small step after another. Laura sent me a packet of information to deliver to all the surrounding schools. Awareness if vital. Everyone must understand how important the work that SADS is doing and support in the smallest of ways. Small donations are so welcomed. One person giving $1.00 and spread the word, then another person can give $1.00. Pretty soon we could raise thousands. It is that simple. I am and will always be a strong supporter of SADS Foundation.
