Mom leads heart screening crusade

Jackie Renfrow is turning heartbreak into hope after the deaths of her only two children.

"Once they're gone, you can't bring them back. They're precious. Once they're gone, you're lost. Your whole life is changed forever," explained Jackie.

In 2000, her son, Jimmy, passed away.He was only 22. Two years later, daughter Crissy died at the age of 21.

Jackie remembered, "July 25th 2002 she (Crissy) was rushed to the hospital -- the same as her brother -- they worked on her for quite some time but couldn't revive her."

Both suffered from a heart condition called Long QT, a syndrome that's treatable if diagnosed. Jackie's kids were never diagnosed. Instead, doctors thought they had epilepsy because they suffered from seizures, a common symptom of Long QT. Months after Crissy's death, Jackie would learn the truth.

"Ten months after my daughter died, my stepdad took my mom to the hospital and that's where they diagnosed her with LONG QT syndrome," said Jackie.

Now Jackie, her mother, and the babies that Jimmy and Crissy left behind are all being treated for Long QT. Jackie, who works for Perry Township Schools, is now on a mission. She wants heart screenings in schools --specifically EKG's -- to detect cardiac disorders. Jackie has found experts willing to preform the tests on students at a reasonable price, but she needs kind hearted hoosiers to invest in saving lives.

"Young people shouldn't be dropping dead for no reason. It's preventable," said Jackie.

An event on Monday, December 8, will help raise money to fund heart screenings. The fundraiser will be held at B.J.'s Restaurant at Greenwood Park Mall. A $10 ticket will get patrons the all-you-can-eat buffet.

On Thursday, January 22, a family health and safety fair will be held at Perry Township Education Center on Orinoco Avenue. A limited number of EKG's and ECHO screenings will be available to Perry Township students for a $20 donation.

For information on fundraisers: http://web.msdpt.k12.in.us/~pta/