The Robie Foundation seeks volunteers and supplies

Sparta - The Robie Foundation is holding its first onsite heart screening on Saturday, Oct. 21, and Sunday, Oct. 22, at the Sparta Middle School at 350 Main Street, Sparta. Advance registration is required as limited space is available for the heart screening. The screening is open to all Sparta school age children. The heart screening event will include blood pressure reading, an EKG, and an echocardiogram and will screen for various heart abnormalities, congenital heart defects and certain conditions that could lead to sudden cardiac death. The foundation does not promote diagnosis on-site, only a screening to encourage further follow-up. On Nov. 4, 2004, Robie Masterson was almost four years old and part of a set of triplets when he died unexpectedly. He had a congenital heart defect called Patent ductus arteriosus, also known as a heart murmur. The mission of the Robie Foundation is to educate parents and bring awareness about such defects and to have every child receive a baseline echocardiogram. Approximately 40,000 children are born every year with a congenital heart defect. Volunteers are needed for the event, including general volunteers, nurses, cardiac sonographers, pediatric cardiologists and cardiologists. Supplies that are needed include Echo Gel, EKG paper, EKG leads, EKG tabs and paper gowns. For more information, visit www.TheRobieFoundation.com or call Debra Masterson at 973-735-4448.