Eli's dad

Windsor High School hosted the second annual EKGs for Eli, a free heart screening for student athletes. In 2024, 98 kids were tested, and this year that number grew to 127, including many walk-ins who joined the effort. The event honors the life of Elijah-Jay Mariano Rivera, who tragically passed away during football practice in 2023, and serves as an important reminder of the value of heart health for young athletes.

An EKG, or electrocardiogram, is a simple test that checks how your heart is working. Small patches called electrodes are placed on one's chest, arms, and legs. These electrodes are connected to a machine that records the heart’s electrical signals. The machine then creates a graph that shows the heart’s rhythm and activity. Doctors can look at this graph to see if the heart is beating normally or if there might be a problem. EKGs are quick, painless, and very helpful in keeping young athletes safe and healthy.

We want to extend a big thank you to 'In a Heartbeat' for making these EKG screenings available to everyone, and to Channel 8 for covering the event and helping spread awareness about the importance of heart health for young athletes.


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