News & Events
HattersMatter Run Held in Honor of Nick Blakely
Smiling Hearts would like to extend our overwhelming gratitude to the Sports Management Class at Stetson University for hosting the HattersMatter Run for Nick Blakely. The inaugural 2.3-mile run was held in honor and memory of Nick to raise awareness of sudden cardiac arrest. Runners that participated paid a generous entrance fee, the proceeds of which were donated to Smiling Hearts.  The event was a success, with several students, athletes, and faculty of Stetson in attendance. Randy Nails Jr., a dear friend of Nick, gave a welcome speech expressing special thanks to the participants on behalf of Smiling Hearts and led the runners in prayer just before the run. "Everything turned out great, and to see all of those faces - and all of the support again - reminds us of what we already know. That Nick made the greatest impact on this community." A bonus, following the run, the Stetson Hatters football team won their final game of the season versus Valparaiso 45-31!Charitable contributions to Smiling Hearts will go towards our program to donate automated external defibrillators (AED) to schools, parks, and recreational centers in need. |
Free Heart Screenings for Youth Offered at Protect This Heart Event
On September 16, 2018, Smiling Hearts is teaming up with Simon’s Heart, the Cardiovascular Group, Jeremy Nelson Foundation, and Terrell Wilson Foundation to offer free heart screenings for students, ages 12 – 19.
The screening will take place at the Cardiovascular Group offices and is open to all families in Gwinnett County and beyond. No child will be denied an opportunity to participate in the screening.
Our goal is to screen 300 children! The screening is intended for students who have never received an electrocardiogram (ECG) exam or those who have never been examined by a cardiologist. The screening will look for undetected heart conditions, such as those that can lead to sudden cardiac arrest and death in youth. Please note that this screening is not a substitute for annual pediatric wellness visits.
ABOUT THIS EVENT
Protect this Heart Screening (Lawrenceville, GA)
September 16, 2018
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
755 Walther Rd NW Lawrenceville, GA 30045 map
EVENT DETAILS
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Smiling Hearts Brings Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness to South Gwinnett High School
Smiling Hearts Brings Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness to South Gwinnett High School  Wilson addressed coaches, players, and their parents with the moving story of her son, Nick Blakely, a 19-year-old young man who passed away due to SCA on August 28, 2017. Wilson led an educational talk on the warning signs of SCA and the importance of cautionary measures such as preventative heart screening and life-saving automated external defibrillators (AED) in protecting youth from tragedy. "Smiling Heart's mission is to turn every potential tragedy of SCA into a story of survival. We are proud to take this opportunity to spread awareness and promote our upcoming screening event with Simon's Heart", Wilson said. Attendees heard the message loud and clear; SGHS has asked Wilson to come back and speak again. On September 16, 2018, Smiling Hearts is teaming up with Simon’s Heart, the Cardiovascular Group, Jeremy Nelson Foundation, and Terrell Wilson Foundation to offer free heart screenings for any student aged 12 – 19. Please download and share our flyer [click here] and for more information visit https://simonsheart.org/?event=protect-this-heart-screening-lawrenceville-ga. About Smiling Hearts: The Nick Blakely Foundation At Smiling Hearts: The Nick Blakely Foundation, our vision is to turn every potential tragedy of Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) into a story of survival. We believe this is possible by advancing overall awareness to young athletes, parents, and coaches, providing youth with access to preventative heart screenings, implementing training standards and safety protocols in athletic associations and educational institutions, and advocating for the establishment of legislation supporting SCA standardized requirements. Learn more about Smiling Hearts and get involved by visiting us www.nickblakelyfoundation.org, Twitter @NickBlakelyFDN, or Facebook.com/nickblakelyfoundation. |
Field at Rhodes Jordan Park to be named Nick Blakely Field
Field at Rhodes Jordan Park to be named Nick Blakely Field
At a public hearing on October 23, 2018, the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners announced the resolution to name the multi-purpose field at Rhodes Jordan Park the Nick Blakely Field.
LAWRENCEVILLE, GA - At a public hearing on October 23, 2018, the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners announced the resolution to name the multi-purpose field at Rhodes Jordan Park in Lawrenceville, GA the Nick Blakely Field. The proclamation was presented by District 4 Commissioner John Heard to Nick Blakely's mother, Michelle Fields-Wilson, and members of the Lawrenceville Youth Association (LYA), Jamal Page, Fred Sutton Jr., Doug Washington, and Tuwanna Davila.
Nick started playing football at the age of 6 with the Lawrenceville Youth Association on the fields of Rhodes Jordan Park. He spent his formative years there playing for the Black Knights until attending Archer High School. Nick's experiences with LYA helped prepare him for life both on and off the field, helping to shape his principles and goals in life. His family continues to be heavily involved with the organization and Nick's 8-year old nephew Landon became a Black Knight this fall. Dozens of local area parents and students attended the meeting on October 23 to vocalize their support of naming the field. Friends and family of Blakely were also on hand to witness the presentation. Two of Nick's former coaches were present and shared their thoughts. Jamal Page said of Nick, "In the short time he was here, he affected a lot of people young and old with his contagious smile and attitude; he was an all-around good kid." Doug Washington also added, "Nick has meant a lot to our community." "What an honor and a blessing...my heart is full of love," said Fields-Wilson overwhelmed by the support. Smiling Hearts would like to especially thank Fred Sutton Jr. for kick-starting the renaming of the field to honor Nick. Also, we thank Tina Fleming, Community Services Director, for her support in requesting the proclamation from the BOC. Rhodes Jordan Park is located at 100 E Crogan St, Lawrenceville, GA 30046. The field at Rhodes Jordan Park, which hosts several youth leagues, recently received some improvements as part of a $2.17 million conversion contract.
About Smiling Hearts: The Nick Blakely Foundation
At Smiling Hearts: The Nick Blakely Foundation, our vision is to turn every potential tragedy of Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) into a story of survival. We believe this is possible by advancing overall awareness to young athletes, parents, and coaches, providing youth with access to preventative heart screenings, implementing training standards and safety protocols in athletic associations and educational institutions, and advocating for the establishment of legislation supporting SCA standardized requirements. Learn more about Smiling Hearts and get involved by visiting us www.nickblakelyfoundation.org, Twitter @NickBlakelyFDN, or Facebook.com/nickblakelyfoundation. |
Lawrenceville Youth Association Awards Nick Blakely Book Scholarships
Lawrenceville Youth Association Awards Nick Blakely Book Scholarships
King will be attending Miles College in Fairfield, Alabama and Shelton is attending Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia. Smiling Hearts sends congratulations to the scholarship winners!
 [from L to R: Tuwanna Davila, Reggie Shelton, Nicks mother, Michelle Fields-Wilson, Doug Washington] |  |
Smiling Hearts Donates its 1st AED to Rhodes Jordan Park
In memory of Nick Blakely and to honor the one year anniversary of his passing, Smiling Hearts is happy to announce that through the kindness and support of the Gregory Moyer Defibrillator Fund & Rachel P. Moyer, we will donate our first automated external defibrillator (AED). On August 11, 2018, Smiling Hearts will present an AED to the Rhodes Jordan Park in Lawrenceville, Georgia. Rhodes Jordan is the home of the Lawrenceville Youth Association’s Black Knights football team where Nick Blakely started his football journey. We are also excited that Rhodes Jordan will also be giving out their Nick Blakely Scholarship. The presentation will begin at 1:30 pm; please join us! To view the full event details click here > |
1st Annual Nick Blakely Summer Memorial Fundraiser
 About the Fundraiser The 1st Annual Nick Blakely Summer Memorial Fundraiser is being conducted to honor Nick’s life and the upcoming first anniversary of his passing. Every gift of $1, $2, $5, $500, or $5,000 will benefit the SafeBeat Initiative and Smiling Hearts: The Nick Blakely Foundation as we work together to prevent the #1 killer of student-athletes and #1 cause of death on school campuses, sudden cardiac death. Our average cost for a preventive heart screening for one child is $49 and we provide them to students and families for FREE. Thank you in advance for your gift. View SafeBeat's fundraiser at: |
Exceptional High School Seniors Awarded $500 College Scholarship
Exceptional High School Seniors Awarded $500 College Scholarship
Smiling Hearts: The Nick Blakely Foundation Announces Recipients of its First College Scholarship Program
Lawrenceville, GA – Smiling Hearts: The Nick Blakely Foundation is proud to announce its first-ever award recipients of the Nick Blakely Scholarship. Following a detailed review process of more than 60 qualified applicants, Smiling Hearts selected Samantha Zelitt (Bradenton, FL), Victoria Molloy (Cape Coral, FL), Tatyana Mangual (Lawrenceville, GA), and Jandolyn Washington (Stone Mountain, GA) as the inaugural winners. Each will receive a $500 scholarship towards their first year of college studies.
Not only did Smiling Hearts find each award recipient impressive, but so did Florida Gulf Coast University, University of Central Florida, College of Coastal Georgia, and Spelman College, where each has chosen to enroll this fall, respectively. "The Nick Blakely Scholarship supports our mission to raise awareness of sudden cardiac arrest, while also honoring the memory of my son, Nick Blakely,” says Michelle Fields-Wilson, Founder of Smiling Hearts. “We are honored to grant the scholarships to these exceptional students, as they exemplify the qualities and values that Nick stood for and we are eager to see what each will achieve in their college studies and beyond.” For media inquiries and to learn more about Smiling Hearts, it's mission to save young lives from sudden cardiac arrest, and its scholarships, please contact Ryan Brown, Executive Director, at 617-817-6830, ryan.brown@nickblakelyfoundation.org.
At Smiling Hearts: The Nick Blakely Foundation, our vision is to turn every potential tragedy of Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) into a story of survival. We believe this is possible by advancing overall awareness to young athletes, parents, and coaches, providing youth with access to preventative heart screenings, implementing training standards and safety protocols in athletic associations and educational institutions, and advocating for the establishment of legislation supporting SCA standardized requirements. Learn more about Smiling Hearts and get involved by visiting us www.nickblakelyfoundation.org, Twitter @NickBlakelyFDN, or Facebook.com/nickblakelyfoundation. |
Hatters Pitcher Honors Late Friend By Wearing No. 37
Stetson University Baseball | March 08, 2018 | Lana Kaczmarek - Class of 2019 http://gohatters.com/news/2018/3/8/baseball-hatters-pitcher-honors-late-friend-by-wearing-no-37.aspx  |
SafeBeat Collaborates with Smiling Hearts: The Nick Blakely Foundation
SafeBeat Collaborates with Smiling Hearts: The Nick Blakely Foundation to Provide Sudden Cardiac Awareness, Preventative Heart Screening, and CPR/AED Education
SafeBeat provides “free” preventative heart screenings to active middle and high school youth along with a CPR and AED education component to their program that plays a significant role in saving lives. SafeBeat also collaborates with local pediatric institutions to supply post-screening care to children no matter the level of insurance they may have. “SafeBeat looks forward to working closely with Smiling Hearts to further develop life-saving education, advocacy of sudden cardiac death prevention, and provide preventative heart screening across the Greater Atlanta area and beyond,” said Sheldon Hill, Executive Director of SafeBeat. Smiling Hearts: The Nick Blakely Foundation At Smiling Hearts: The Nick Blakely Foundation, our vision is to turn every potential tragedy of Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) into a story of survival. We believe this is possible by advancing overall awareness to young athletes, parents, and coaches, providing youth with access to preventative heart screenings, implementing training standards and safety protocols in athletic associations and educational institutions, and advocating for the establishment of legislation supporting SCA standardized requirements. Learn more about Smiling Hearts and get involved by visiting us www.nickblakelyfoundation.org, Twitter @NickBlakelyFDN, or Facebook.com/nickblakelyfoundation. About SafeBeat SafeBeat is a national initiative that establishes “free” local heart screenings, heart health education and emergency action planning programs in an effort to directly target three major long-standing epidemics in America’s youth: sudden cardiac death, hypertension, and obesity. SafeBeat collaborates with local hospitals, medical professionals, schools, individuals and businesses to allow them to bring the SafeBeat Initiative to communities nationwide to prevent needless deaths and create a healthier generation. Learn more about SafeBeat and get involved by visiting us at www.safebeat.org, Twitter @safebeat4life, Facebook.com/safebeat4life, and Instagram @safebeat4life. CONTACT: Cindy Vees Director of Public Relations & Communications SafeBeat cvees@safebeat.org www.safebeat.org Ryan Brown Executive Director Smiling Hearts: The Nick Blakely Foundation info@nickblakelyfoundation.org www.nickblakelyfoundation.org |
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