Patrick Schoonover Heart Foundation

Play for Patrick

Recent News Segments

The recent collapse of Damar Hamlin has generated interest and support for Play for Patrick. Recent interviews and segments:

KSTP "Minnesota Live": Mike Schoonover Interview Segment

Fox 9 News : Buffalo Bills player's collapse brings back painful memories for MN family

KSTP News: Twin Cities family reaffirms heart health awareness message after Damar Hamlin’s collapse

CBS News Minnesota: "Play for Patrick" encourages heart screenings for young athletes after Damar Hamlin injury

Our thoughts and prayers are with the friends and family of the Hamlin Family.

Patrick and his Eastview teammates were playing in the Blue Ox Hockey Bantam AA Tournament in Brainerd, MN. Patrick scored the game’s first goal and collapsed moments later on the ice. First responders were unable to revive him. It was later determined Patrick had numerous heart defects that caused his early death.

Patrick was a fun loving teenager who is loved and respected by many. Patrick was a gentle giant. He was the “anti-bully” at school and stood up for those who could not. He made kids feel welcome with his smile and kindness. He was a great teammate and brought laughter and life to the locker room. He will forever be missed but never forgotten, and his legacy will live forever through the Play For Patrick Foundation.

Patrick’s heart condition was never detected during exams or physicals. The Schoonover family is working with the University of Minnesota Physicians Heart clinics to educate and inform families about heart defects and to help make heart scans more accessible and affordable.

Patrick’s passing stopped the world of Minnesota Youth Hockey November 14th, 2014. It forever changed our lives, and we hope we can reduce or eliminate sudden death due to heart defects and save other parents from the pain and anguish we are feeling.

CBS Evening News w/Norah O'Donnell

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Play For Patrick Statistics

From August 2015 to January 2023, the Patrick Schoonover Heart Foundation conducted 27 Play for Patrick youth heart screens. Screened 4,461 kids, found 266 with elevated blood pressure (w/repeated check), 277 with abnormal electrical or structural heart defects, taught 3,893 kids & adults CPR & AED awareness and donated 16 AEDs to area Schools.

#PlaywithHeart #PlayforPatrick