News - The Peyton Walker Foundation

Penn State University Recognizes Foundation Executive Director as "Hometown Hero"

Penn State University, in partnership with Dietz & Watson, recognized foundation executive director, Julie Walker, as a Hometown Hero during the season opener of the Penn
State men's basketball game at the Bryce Jordan Center.
Dietz & Watson and Penn State teamed up to honor those individuals who are going above and beyond for their friends, families, communities and country.

Hometown Heroes not only help others, but inspire those around them with their outstanding service and other selfless actions.

WE ARE...checking hearts, protecting hearts & saving lives!

Check out our Year In Review Video!

To our volunteers, sponsors, donors and supporters...we humbly thank you for helping us to deliver our lifesaving programs and services in the Midstate.

The Peyton Walker Foundation Receives National Award For Lifesaving Efforts

Parent Heart Watch, the national organization for protecting youth from sudden cardiac arrest, awarded foundation executive director Julie Walker the 2018 Hero For Young Hearts Advocacy Champion Award. Julie and the Foundation were recognized for their "unwavering dedication to protecting young lives from Sudden Cardiac Arrest."
Says Julie Walker, "We're incredibly honored to be recognized for the lifesaving work we're able to do - thanks to our medical partners, community & business sponsors, our PIAA District 3 partnership, donors, family, friends and all of our volunteers! Everyone who has supported our mission is a 'hero for young hearts.' This has been a community project from day one."

In The News....

Learn about Peyton and the Foundation's Lifesaving Work

WITF Smart Talk: SCA Awareness

iHeart Radio: "Insight With Sylvia Maus"

abc27: Importance of Screenings

CBS21: Count Your Blessing Campaign

FOX 43: Hundreds Screened

abc27: Focus on Family

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More News Stories:

Late Cumberland County Teenager Continues To Leave Her Mark (abc27, April 2017)
Non-Profit Offers Free Heart Screenings For Students (abc27, March 2017)
EKG Screenings Can Protect Young Hearts (Parent Heart Watch, March 2017)
The Shocking Truth About AEDs (Parent Heart Watch, March 2017)
Heart Month: Sudden Cardiac Arrest & How To Use an AED (abc27, February 2017)
Defibrillator Donation Honors Teen's Mission (abc27)
The Peyton Walker Foundation (Comcast Creative)
The Beat Goes On Under The Stars (abc27, August 2016)
Midstate Group, Born of Tragedy, Works to Prevent Sudden Cardiac Death (abc27, November 2015)

PIAA District III & Peyton Walker Foundation Announce Partnership
     The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) District III and The Peyton Walker Foundation are pleased and proud to announce a partnership dedicated to advancing their mutual mission - saving lives and enhancing the well-being of students in District III geographic area.
     The two parties will work together to broaden the reach of the Foundation's Heart Screening Clinics. Additional AEDs are being made available to District III schools, and there are plans to coordinate AED & CPR training for students, coaches, athletes and families in District III.
      Read the full press release here.

Heart Screening Success Stories

      Meet The Wiz Kid!
       "Wiz" is a 4 sport student-athlete. He plays soccer, basketball and track and is also a 2-time national speed skating champion. Wiz is the picture of health. He is strong and physically fit. Looking at Wiz - you can’t you tell that he has a serious heart condition.
       Wiz’s condition would never have been discovered without a simple EKG test that was provided at a free Heart Screening hosted by The Peyton Walker Foundation.
       Wiz’s EKG revealed that he had Left Ventricular Hypertrophy with Non-Compaction, and he is now under the care of a team of cardiologists.
       Says Wiz, “I would like to thank the Peyton Walker Foundation and all the volunteers who provided me with lifesaving information about my heart. You just may have saved another family from suffering the loss of a special person like Peyton.”
       “Our children are the most precious gift. To lose a child would be heartbreaking. While learning my son had a heart condition was shocking, finding out saved his life. You have saved another family from heartbreak. Thank you,” says Deneen, Wiz’s mom.

Meet Sam!
       Soccer player and all-around athlete, Sam, and 200 local students & athletes attended our very first free heart screening clinic in March 2015. Sam – and her family – thought everything was fine. Sam had no previous symptoms and no family history. However, our screening partner, PinnacleHealth Cardiovascular Institute, detected an abnormal Electrocardiogram (EKG) and recommended additional testing for Sam.
       As a result of this heart screening, Sam was diagnosed with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome – a condition that can cause abnormal heartbeats and can sometimes lead to Sudden Cardiac Arrest.
       Sam had surgery in July 2015 to correct the abnormal pathways in her heart.
        According to Sam's mom, "Not knowing what the future could have held for Samantha, attending this heart screening could have actually saved her life!"
       Says Sam, "Now, I'm back to my old self and you would never know I had anything done. I'm very thankful to The Peyton Walker Foundation for having the event and to my parents for encouraging me to go. But I'm especially thankful for the guardian angel that was looking out for me that day!"