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Bucky
09-20-2009, 04:10 PM
Hi:

I had the pleasure yesterday of meeting Sharon Bates whose son Anthony died from HCM 10 years ago while he was a student and varsity football player at Kansas State Univ.

Since then Sharon has started the Anthony Bates Foundation and she has been a driver along with Lisa (and others I assume) in promoting early screening of young people for HCM. The screening I attended was at Salpointe Catholic High School here in Tucson and Sharon said they had screened some 90 folks that day including a few adults. I also had the opportunity to talk with the three Pediatric Cardiologists who were at the screening and I thanked them for donating their time since many Cardiologists blow off HCM. All the docs were very supportive of the screening effort.

Sharon's goal is to screen 1 Million people in the next 5 years. If you happen to see any announcements for screenings in your area sponsored by the Anthony Bates Foundation (anthonybates.org) please support the effort.

Just think what Lisa started when she began raising awareness of HCM many years ago. A million thanks to Lisa for energizing us and to Sharon for helping not just us, but society in general since it was good to see adults participating in the screening. It seems so simple. Why can't Insurance companies cover this....I guess I know the answer to that!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Finally, don't forget our first AZ meeting of folks with HCM coming up on October 24th in Phoenix. .We've got a whole three people coming to lunch....Well, it is a start. Next time four, then five....In ten years we'll have the whole Arizona HCM population of 6,000 for lunch....NOT...but maybe we'll get up to 10.

bucky

mbcube
09-21-2009, 12:38 PM
Doug - Thanks for sharing this! How did you hear of it? how did they end up selecting Salpointe Catholic High School? Just curious.
Oh - and thanks for the updated photos of Harry.

Bucky
09-21-2009, 08:24 PM
HI Marc:

Good to hear from you. I heard about the screening when I was at the Univ of AZ Med Center getting (another) ultrasound. The Ultrasound Tech knew about it. Don't know why they choose Salpoint other than the fact they are a perennial HS football power in Southern Arizona...Interestingly enough even though I've only been back in Tucson for a year after 100's of years away...that is where my youngest daughter went to HS. The circle gets smaller and smaller, eh.

Take care my friend.

doug