High School Donates $1,000

Fifth Annual Skate-a-Thon HeartSkate, Chaired by Junior Catherine Wang, Benefits Heart Rhythm Foundation

October 14, 2008 —The Heart Rhythm Foundation was recently surprised with a gift received thanks to the creative efforts of a California high school.

Catherine Wang, a high school junior and President of the Saratoga High School Skating Club, was the host of the 5th Annual HeartSkate at Logitech Ice Arena, San Jose, CA on May 18, 2008. A portion of the event’s proceeds, $1,000, was generously donated to the Heart Rhythm Foundation. Other beneficiaries of HeartSkate were the American Heart Association, Santa Clara Country Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association and the Global Ischemia Foundation. More than $8,000 has been raised from the previous four editions of HeartSkate.

“HeartSkate has been a great way to raise support and awareness for sudden cardiac death,” said Catherine, who is the daughter of Paul Wang, MD, a member of the Heart Rhythm Society since 1995 and a Founder level donor of the Heart Rhythm Foundation. Dr. Wang and his wife Dr. Margaret Wang have taught Catherine and her older sister Margaret, also a figure skater who chaired HeartSkate when she was at Saratoga Springs High School, that giving and volunteering are of utmost importance. Catherine, who ranked 6th in the tristate region (Northern CA, NV and UT) as a Novice skater, has coordinated numerous other events in the past for the Society, including a Heart Walk in the Los Gatos-Saratoga area.

HeartSkate 2008 featured Jack Grogan, community activist and Sudden Cardiac Arrest survivor, who presented demonstrations and videos about heart disease and prevention. Other activities included a silent auction, musical performances and an appearance by Rudy Galindo, the 1996 US National Figure Skating Champion and 1996 World Bronze Medalist.

Learn more about how you can help support the Heart Rhythm Society and Foundation’s missions and initiatives by contacting Betsy Bogdansky at (202) 464-3454, bbogdansky@HRSonline.org or Ashleigh Covington at (202) 464-9854, acovington@HRSonline.org. Or donate online — your contribution will enable the Society to be the primary resource for healthcare professionals and the voice of support for patients with cardiac arrhythmia disorders.

About the Heart Rhythm Foundation
The mission of the Heart Rhythm Foundation is to enhance the prevention and treatment of cardiac rhythm disorders by supporting the research, education and advocacy efforts of the Heart Rhythm Society. Its goal is to promote a culture of giving in service to this mission.