The Andrew Gobczynski Big Heart Foundation recently donated $1,000 to the Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Foundation in support of the Rotary Heart Screen program for high school athletes.
The program offers area high school sophomore athletes a more comprehensive approach using electrocardiography to help ensure their hearts are healthy, a physical examination and a targeted health history. 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.
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 to area high school sophomore athletes. The fall date for Rotary Heart screenings is set for 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, November 11, in The Heart Center at Sarah Bush Lincoln. However, registration forms must be received no later than Monday, September 25.
For more information about the Rotary Athletic Heart Screen program, please call The Heart Center at (217) 238-4960 or visit www.sarahbush.org
Pictured at the check presentation are: (left to right are) Andrew’s father, Leon Gobczynski; sister, Stephanie Uebinger; SBL Foundation Event Coordinator, Kim Lockart; and SBL Vice President of Development, Kim Uphoff .