The Andrew Gobczynski Big Heart Foundation recently donated $2,000 to the Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Foundation in support of the Rotary Athletic Heart Screen Program for area high school athletes.
The Heart Screen Program of SBL is offered free to sophomore athletes in 20 area high schools. This painless and harmless screening is intended to detect cardiac abnormalities through a comprehensive approach that includes an electrocardiogram, a physical examination and a targeted health history. An electrocardiogram can uncover dangerous cardiac abnormalities of the heart including cardiomyopathy, an abnormality that can cause sudden death of athletes during strenuous activity. Sarah Bush Lincoln provides this free screening program twice a year, in the spring and fall. This year’s fall event will be from 8 a.m. to 12 noon, on November 12 in the Lumpkin Family Center for Health Education at SBL.
This cause is especially important to Andrew Gobczynski’s family because the former Teutopolis and EIU basketball standout died at just 33 years of age following a cardiac incident caused by an enlarged heart, a condition no one knew about. “We feel strongly that everyone should take advantage of this potentially life-saving program offered by Sarah Bush Lincoln and are excited to support this cause,” Gobczynski’s twin sister, Stephanie Uebinger, said.
The Andrew Gobczynski Big Heart Foundation, which was established not long after his death in December 2014, hosts a wine tasting event at Village Wine & Gifts in Effingham each Spring, and a golf benefit at the Effingham Country Club in September. This year’s golf outing is set for Friday, September 23.
Pictured at the check presentation are: (left to right are) Andrew’s father Leon Gobczynski, sister Stephanie Uebinger, SBL Foundation Event Coordinator Kim Lockart, SBL Vice President of Development Kim Uphoff and SBL Vice President of Medical Affairs Dr. James Hildebrandt.
For more information about the Rotary Athletic Heart Screen program, call the SBL Health Foundation at 217-258-2511. For more information about the Andrew Gobczynski Foundation, go to www.andrewbigheart.com