Patrick Schoonover Heart Foundation

Patrick Schoonover Heart Foundation

The Patrick Schoonover Heart Foundation was created to honor & remember Patrick Schoonover, who passed away at the age of 14, due to sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), caused by undetected heart defects. The goal of the foundation is to bring awareness, education and prevention to our communities and eliminate SCA in teenagers and young adults.

SCA is the leading cause of death among student athletes. The Patrick Schoonover Heart Foundation offers FREE heart screens for participants ages 14-24 throughout the Minneapolis- St. Paul area regardless of race, gender, income, or demographics. 

Play For Patrick Youth Heart Screens

The screening elements include Height/Weight, Blood Pressure, EKG (electrical current of the heart), echocardiogram (ultrasound of the structure of the heart), Clinician consultation. Additionally, participants receive hands only cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator (AED) training.

The foundation relies on volunteers to help with each event. Up to 100 medical & non-medical volunteers are needed to make the screens happen. The costs for each screen are approximately $10,000 and include volunteer t-shirts & hospitality, medical & office supplies, medical equipment, and business-related expenses. Additionally, the foundation donates AEDS and cabinets to host schools, and communities throughout the area. The Foundation does not have paid staff, so all donations are used for screening young hearts and placing AEDs in communities.

Play For Patrick Statistics

From August 2015 to October 2025, the Patrick Schoonover Heart Foundation conducted 41 Play for Patrick heart screens. Screened 7,110 kids, found 469 with elevated blood pressure (with repeated check), 376 with abnormal electrical or structural heart defects, taught 5,893 kids & adults CPR & AED awareness and donated 25 AEDs to area schools. #Playwithheart