Smiling Hearts: The Nick Blakely Foundation

Help us save lives by remembering the life of our beloved Nick Blakely. On November 4, 2024, Nick would have turned 27 years old. Please consider giving to our charity (via text or our website below), as we prepare to donate our next AED as well as hold a heart screening in March of 2025 for youth in the greater Georgia area. Details are forthcoming!

* All donations go to Smiling Hearts – The Nick Blakely Foundation, a qualified 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.

Cummings High School football player dies after collapsing at practice - Parent Heart Watch THE NATIONAL VOICE. PROTECTING YOUTH FROM SUDDEN CARDIAC ARREST.

On this day, seven years ago, we lost a remarkable young man, Nick Blakely. Nick's life was tragically cut short due to sudden cardiac arrest, but his legacy continues to inspire us all. Nick approached life with unwavering positivity and a smile that could light up any room.

Today, we remember Nick's vibrant personality, his love for family and friends, and his steadfast faith. He touched the lives of countless individuals, leaving an indelible mark on all who knew him.

⚡ Keeping Student Hearts Safe at Thacher Elementary! 🏫🚑

The Nick Blakely Foundation has donated a game-changing portable Automated External Defibrillator (AED) to Thacher Elementary in Attleboro, MA. This life-saving device empowers a student with a heart condition to stay active without compromising their safety. 💪

With the portable AED on standby, the student can now participate in field trips and physical activities, knowing that prompt emergency care is just seconds away.

At the Nick Blakely Foundation, we're on a mission to make AEDs accessible in every school and public space. This donation is a step towards creating a safer, more inclusive environment for all. 🙌

Join us in celebrating this milestone (our first donation in Massachusetts) and spreading awareness about the importance of AED accessibility. Together, we can protect young hearts and save lives. 💓

Article Link: https://sites.google.com/site/nickblakelyfoundation/news-events/portable-aed-donation-helps-student-stay-active-at-thacher-elementary

Go, go, go, Tennessee!!!

New proposed law could add more lifesaving equipment to Tennessee schools for student athletes Medical emergencies can happen at any moment and parents never want to get a phone call that something happened to their children at school.

Just in time for Heart Month, 47 schools will receive an AED. AEDs save lives, as Mr. Hamlin well knows. It’s beautiful to see him spread the message and promote prevention.

Buffalo Bills' Damar Hamlin donating $100,000 worth of AEDs to Nevada schools Damar Hamlin and his foundation are teaming up with the NFL, American Heart Association, Nevada Department of Education and the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association for the donation.

Lawmakers to consider bill requiring AEDs in all Georgia schools - Parent Heart Watch THE NATIONAL VOICE. PROTECTING YOUTH FROM SUDDEN CARDIAC ARREST.

Don’t let the detectable go undetected. Schedule a heart screening ❤️

University of Minnesota Duluth football player Reed Ryan tragically died on Tuesday after collapsing during a workout earlier this month. According to his family Reed had, “An undetected genetic heart condition and a large, loving heart." Our prayers are with his friends and family.

College Football Player Reed Ryan Dead At 22 After Collapsing During Workout University of Minnesota Duluth football player Reed Ryan tragically died on Tuesday ... after collapsing during a workout earlier this month, his family announced.

Your presence is forever missed, but your impact on our lives is forever present. We celebrate the legacy of Nicholas Adam Blakely today (11/4/97-8/28/17).

17-Year-Old High School Basketball Star Caleb White Dies After Collapsing During Workout

High school athletics: Carson rising senior passes away - Parent Heart Watch THE NATIONAL VOICE. PROTECTING YOUTH FROM SUDDEN CARDIAC ARREST.

EVERYONE and ANYONE is at risk. Please consider regular heart screens for your children. Prevention and awareness are essential before intervention is required!

BREAKING: Bronny James is in a STABLE condition and no longer in ICU after suffering a cardiac arrest during USC practice.

Big prayers up for the James family 🙏

Another story of survival! Wonderful to hear an AED was accessible and a parent knew how to use it. Preparing yourself can make all the difference!

Teen goes into cardiac arrest at cheer competition and her mom saves her life Keianna Joe, 17, was warming up with her team when she became unresponsive.

Ohio teen suffers cardiac event during track practice, in critical condition at UC - Parent Heart Watch THE NATIONAL VOICE. PROTECTING YOUTH FROM SUDDEN CARDIAC ARREST.

A successful day of protecting young hearts! Nearly 100 boys and girls received an electrocardiogram (ECG) heart screening at the Rhodes Jordan Park Community Center and Central Gwinnett High School.

Thanks to Who We Play For, , Gwinnett Parks and Recreation, Live Healthy Gwinnett, The NASCAR Foundation, and Bennett Thrasher for your hard work, dedication, and expertise which made this possible!

❤️ Dedicated to Nick Blakely & Jacob Cardiello ❤️

Heart screenings for the youth partnered with Who We Play For at Rhodes Jordan community center!

Tune in today as we talk with Juandolyn Stokes, host of On Point, about sudden cardiac arrest and our upcoming Gwinnett County Community Screening. Listen at audacy.com

REMINDER: This Saturday, March 11, 2023, from 10:00 am-2:00 pm! The Gwinnett County Community Screening, dedicated in memory of Nick Blakely & Jacob Cardiello, at 100 E Crogan St, Lawrenceville, GA 30046, in the Community Center.

Register here: https://app.squarespacescheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=23794103&appointmentType=40975594

EDIT: This has been moved up to 6:00PM!

It’s the end of Heart Month, so join us on our page tonight for a special episode of our “Speaking from the Heart” series with Molly Reed.

This week, we’re chatting with Ryan Brown from the Nick Blakely Foundation as we gear up for a screening with them in Georgia next month! We hope you’ll join us tonight at 7:06 EST!

Kaseem Vauls, a 21-year-old defensive lineman from Jackson State’s football team in 2022, suffered cardiac arrest last Wednesday. Praying this continues to be a story of survival.

Jackson State football player Kaseem Vauls resuscitated after cardiac arrest Kaseem Vauls, a 21-year-old defensive lineman for Jackson State, suffered cardiac arrest Wednesday morning, according to his father, William.

“We have fire drills in schools generally, every month. We have active shooter drills. But we do not in most schools have sudden cardiac arrest drills.”

Be sure to check that your school or park has an AED accessible! Every minute without defibrillation reduces survival by up to 10%.

Is your school equipped to save a life? Here's how you'll know | CNN While there is increased awareness and availability of AEDs, none of that matters if the lifesaving device can't be accessed within two to three minutes.

SAVE THE DATE & SIGN-UP! A FREE heart screening event with be held on March 11th, 10 am - 2pm at Nick Blakey Field/Rhodes Jordan Park in Lawrenceville, GA. Please view the attached flyer for details, and share with your friends and family living in the Greater Atlanta Area.

1 in 300 youth has an undetected heart condition that puts them at risk for sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). We believe heart screenings should be a standard of care. Preventative heart screenings can help detect deadly cardiac conditions that may place youth at risk of experiencing SCA.

We are thrilled to partner with Who We Play For (WWPF), a non-profit dedicated to reducing sudden cardiac death in teens and young adults. Thank you to WWPF, and to The NASCAR Foundation and Bennett Thrasher, for making this event possible.

We are happy to announce the recipient of the 2023 Nick Blakely Scholarship is Archer High School's VanDale Nute. Congratulations VanDale, we are excited about the opportunities that you will find in the future and look forward to following your continued success!
https://sites.google.com/site/nickblakelyfoundation/news-events/2023-nick-blakely-scholarship-winner-announced

A meaningful, national discussion on Sudden Cardiac Arrest! Please tune in and share with your network!

Don't miss the segment on Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel tonight at 10pm EST on HBO. The segment will be available on HBO Max after it airs on cable.