VERO BEACH — In an opportunity to increase community/school participation through an athletic event that raises awareness about heart disease, the Vero Beach varsity football team, in conjunction with the American Heart Association, is having a stadium “Red Out.”
As the premiere “Red Out” in the area, the initiative will honor elementary student Ethan Hendon who has battled heart disease since he was born.
This wonderful event will take place on Sept. 14 at 7 p.m. at the Vero Beach Citrus Bowl, located across the street from the Vero Beach High School. Vero Beach High will play FP Westwood High.
The young boy has undergone 15 surgeries to date, three of which were open-heart surgeries.
Students and all football fans are encouraged to purchase the official “Rock the Beat” t-shirt, priced at $12 each, to benefit the lifesaving work of the American Heart Association.
The shirt, specific for the “Red Out,” is on sale before school, during lunch, and after school through Junior ROTC and will be sold at the football game as well.
Prior to the start of the game, students and football fans whose lives have been touched by heart disease or stroke will be invited to join Ethan, his family, and the American Heart Association for a celebratory walk around the football field.
About Cardiovascular Diseases:
– Cardiovascular disease claims more lives than the next four causes of death combined, including all forms of cancer.
– While often perceived as a “man’s disease,” cardiovascular disease is also the No. 1 killer of women.
– One in every three American women dies from cardiovascular disease.
– Each year, about 36,000 babies are born with a heart defect. In fact, each year, nearly four times as many children die from congenital cardiovascular defects as from all forms of childhood cancer combined.
– For further information, please visit www.Heart.org.