Philanthropy protects young hearts and strengthens community health in Eugene

As graduation season wraps up, this school year offers a powerful reminder of what early, accessible care can make possible. Earlier this year at North Eugene High School, donor support brought heart screenings, health education and peace of mind directly to students at no cost to families. For dozens of teens, it meant answers they might not have received otherwise and, in some cases, a clear path to follow up care

Philanthropy removes barriers to care by meeting young people where they are. With donor support, the school gym shifted from a place for games and PE to a place for care and connection, where students, families and caregivers came together around early heart health in a space they know and trust.

Through donor support, 96 students ages 9 to 19 received free heart screenings. For many families, this was their first chance to pause and take a closer look at their child’s heart health without concerns about cost, access or waiting until something felt wrong. The experience was calm, thoughtful and focused on prevention rather than worry.

By the end of the day, 41 students received results that recommended follow-up care. Five were referred to pediatric cardiology for a closer evaluation. For these families, the screening offered clarity about their child’s heart health. Caregivers explained results, answered questions and shared next steps, helping families leave with reassurance and a plan.

Heart conditions in children and teens can be easy to miss. About 1 percent of babies in the United States are born with a congenital heart defect, and sudden cardiac arrest claims an estimated 2,000 lives under age 25 each year. Events like early screening and education can help identify concerns sooner and guide families to support when it matters most.

This work reflects PeaceHealth’s commitment to caring for the whole person beyond traditional care settings. By hosting screenings at a school, caregivers were able to focus on connection, education and trust, creating an experience that felt accessible and supportive for students encountering preventive care for the first time. 

The health fair was supported by a $50,000 grant from the Sacred Heart Medical Center Foundation’s Greatest Needs Fund. With partnership from OCCU volunteers and the OCCU Foundation, this work will continue to grow. The grant also funded the placement of automated external defibrillators at youth sports sites, expanding the impact beyond one event and helping protect young hearts wherever they play and gather.

Clinical leadership from Oregon Cardiology and the Oregon Heart and Vascular Institute helped ensure screenings were thorough and follow up guidance was clear. Their partnership allowed PeaceHealth to combine medical expertise with a community-centered approach families could understand and act on with confidence.

Bringing care into schools could become the new front door for preventive health, creating easier access, earlier detection and better outcomes for more young people.

This was the first Teen Heart Screening held in Eugene since 2020. Its return earlier this year shows how philanthropy helps PeaceHealth look ahead, opening doors to prevention and giving young people a healthier start that can last a lifetime. 

Sheri Nelson, a local mom, shared how a free screening found an undiagnosed abnormality for her son. Watch the story here.