![\"Reali](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/SZ4AFDSOHFC7DOZS7T3WYY26VY.jpg\"\/)
The initiative, supported by Wagner High School’s football team and the Reali Foundation, aims to prevent sudden cardiac deaths through early detection.Michael Arvanites<\/p>\nSTATEN ISLAND, NY — Staten Island leaders gathered Wednesday to advocate for expanded heart screening requirements for student athletes.<\/p>\n
Council Member Kamillah Hanks, Dr. Mark Sherman, and the Wagner High School Falcon football team joined the Frank Reali III \u201cProtecting One Young Heart at a Time\u201d Foundation, at an event held at the Susan E. Wagner High School Football Field gate to promote Resolution 819.<\/p>\n
The Frank Reali Resolution, introduced by Hanks who represents the North Shore, urges the New York State Legislature to expand the Dominic Murray Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act to include mandatory echocardiograms for all public high school students before entering freshman year.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery year, we lose young lives to sudden cardiac arrest\u2014lives that could be saved with early detection,\u201d Hanks said. \u201cBy expanding access to non-invasive heart screenings, we can protect student athletes across our city and honor the life and legacy of Frank Reali III. Together, we can protect one young heart at a time.\u201d<\/p>\n
The initiative comes from the tragic death of Frank J. Reali III. He died from sudden cardiac arrest in 2007 at age 38. His family founded the Protecting One Young Heart at a Time Foundation, which has provided more than 4,000 free heart screenings to local youth.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur foundation\u2019s mission is simple\u2014to prevent another family from experiencing the heartbreak we endured,\u201d said Fran Reali, co-founder of the foundation. \u201cEach screening has the potential to save a life. We\u2019re grateful to Councilmember Hanks for championing this cause and carrying our message to City Hall.\u201d<\/p>\n
The initiative, supported by Wagner High School’s football team and the Reali Foundation, aims to prevent sudden cardiac deaths through early detection.Michael Arvanites<\/p>\n
Dr. Mark Sherman, an orthopedic surgeon and 45-year PSAL medical liaison who co-founded the Unity Games, emphasized the importance of early detection in preventing tragedies.<\/p>\n
\u201cEarly detection saves lives,\u201d Sherman said. \u201cBy making heart screenings accessible to all students, we can identify risks before they become tragedies. I\u2019m an orthopedist, not a cardiologist, but when young athletes come in to get screened to play sports I\u2019m not as worried about their young knees and ankles, as much as I worry about the heart that keeps everything going.\u201d<\/p>\n
The foundation will celebrate its ongoing work at the Protecting One Young Heart at a Time Frank Reali III Foundation Dinner on Monday, Oct. 27, at LiGreci\u2019s Staaten.<\/p>\n
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