Submitted by SCAFoundation on Mon, 09/07/2009 - 12:00am

MARTINSVILLE­, NJ – The third annual “Walk With Heart” was held on Sunday, May 17 at The Pingry School to raise funds for the JohnTaylorBabbitt Foundation, in its effort to prevent sudden cardiac death.

More than 400 students and families from the area participated in the event which raised more than $45,000 for the foundation. All participants received an event T-shirt, as well as complimentary food and beverages. Music, a raffle, and wonderful prizes made the event fun for all ages.

In addition, representatives from Atlantic Health Systems were present at the walk to demonstrate the use of Automated External Defibrillators.

The Walk With Heart is sponsored by the foundation and organized by students in The Pingry School's JTB Heart Club as part of their Independent Senior Project at The Pingry School. The day included a 3-mile run, 3-mile walk, raffle, music, food, and prizes. The students spent countless hours over the last half year planning every aspect of the event.

“The students were very dedicated to organizing this event, and Dave and I are so grateful to them, to the sponsors and donors, to the participants, the dozens of volunteers and to everyone who helped make the day such a success,” said JoAnne Babbitt, John’s mother. “We are truly overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support from all of the people whose lives John touched.”

The foundation was founded in memory of Chatham resident John Babbitt who was 16 and a junior at Pingry when he passed away because of a sudden cardiac arrest during a recreational basketball game. The foundation is dedicated to the prevention of sudden cardiac death, particularly in student athletes.

Current foundation initiatives include supporting defibrillator legislation, raising awareness on the prevalence of sudden cardiac death, and working to increase defibrillator availability on local playing fields. Currently, the foundation is working with Chatham Borough and Chatham Township to place defibrillators in the borough and township playing fields.

“John's sudden loss was shocking and tragic,” said his father, David, “but it is our hope that through the Foundation's activities we can prevent other families from experiencing the pain of losing a child to this disease.”

The John Taylor Babbitt Foundation is a not-for-profit 501c3 organization founded in John’s memory and dedicated to increasing awareness about the severity and prevalence of HCM within the young adult community. The specific goals of the foundation are to: install defibrillators in schools, athletic venues, and public gathering places; establish JTB Heart Clubs in high schools and universities to raise awareness and save lives; and, support research on genetic cardiac disorders that increase risk of sudden cardiac death.

-Adapted from article in Somerset Reporter