Elijah, fondly known as ‘Big Texas’, tragically passed away on October 10th, 2023, from a sudden cardiac arrest during a football practice. To commemorate his life, a new initiative called “EKGs for Eli" was launched.
The 2nd Annual ‘EKGs for Eli’ is a free heart screening event. It is open to any elementary, middle, or high school student. The event is held in partnership with ‘In a Heartbeat’ - a non-profit organisation that exists to prevent death from sudden cardiac arrest and Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM). It will take place on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, at Windsor High School in the Rubber Gym and will begin at 2:30 pm.
These free screenings, organized with the support of Elijah’s family, aim to prevent future tragedies by identifying preexisting hidden heart conditions that may go unnoticed. An EKG is a simple test (that does not involve needles) that can identify potential risks, including irregular heart rhythms and other abnormalities that might otherwise go undiagnosed. By offering these screenings, we aim to prevent tragedies, raise awareness of preexisting heart conditions, and give families peace of mind, while ensuring the safety and well-being of our student-athletes.
Additionally, ‘In a Heartbeat’ is looking for volunteers for both medical and non-medical duties to join this initiative. Please contact Mike Papale (mike@inaheartbeat.org), the founder of 'In A Heartbeat', if you would like to volunteer.
For more information about EKGs for Elijah or to register for the free screening event, please click here or contact Amy Stavola at astavola@windsorct.org.