Port St. Lucie – In a heartfelt effort to honor the memory of their late daughter, Jessica Clinton, Ray and Cheryl Lalloo are organizing a free heart‑screening event this Saturday at the St. Lucie County Health Department. The event, open to children and young adults ages 5 to 20, aims to identify undiagnosed heart conditions early, potentially saving lives.
Why the screenings matter
Jessica Clinton, a 17‑year‑old cheerleader at St. Lucie West Centennial High School, suffered a sudden cardiac arrest during practice in 2003. At the time, the school had no automated external defibrillators (AEDs), and her death highlighted a critical gap in youth cardiac safety. The Lalloos say Jessica underwent two sports physicals in the months before her death, yet no heart issue was detected.
“You hear it all the time. Kids go to sleep, parents come in the morning, they’re not awake, and it’s now just infants, or SIDS, it’s kids that are 10, 12, 13 years old,” Ray Lalloo said. “We need to catch these problems before they become fatal.”
Event details and services
The free screenings will include an electrocardiogram (EKG) and a check of vital signs. A cardiologist will review each result, and an echocardiogram will be offered if further evaluation is needed. The Lalloos estimate that about 600 children will attend, and they have already received sign‑ups from close to 650 families for this year’s event.
Appointments are scheduled, but families can call the health department to inquire about the waiting list. Organizers will try to fill any openings that arise from cancellations or no‑shows.
Impact of the Jessica Clinton MVP Foundation
Seventeen years ago, the Lalloos founded the Jessica Clinton MVP Foundation and began offering these free screenings. According to the foundation, the program has identified previously undetected heart conditions in dozens of children. Last year alone, roughly 19 participants learned they had a condition that had not been diagnosed before.
“We’ve had a couple of kids with pretty significant diagnoses—things like syndrome, the really bad ones,” Ray Lalloo noted. “Those early detections can change a family’s future.”
Family perspective
Cheryl Lalloo expressed gratitude for the opportunity to give back. “Blessed is the word,” she said. “It makes us feel like we also have a lot more work to do, because there are still kids out there that are still diagnosed.”
Ray added a hopeful note: “The one child could be the next president of our country. It could be the person who invents the cure for cancer. So, every life is important. Children should not die like this.”
How to participate
The event runs Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the St. Lucie County Health Department, 5150 NW Milner Dr., Port St. Lucie. Families can schedule appointments by calling 772‑462‑3800.
By providing these free screenings, the Lalloos hope to prevent other families from experiencing the same heartbreaking loss they endured, reinforcing the importance of community health initiatives and early medical intervention.
Original reporting: WPBF (Treasure Coast / Hearst) — read the source article.
