Gregory M. Hirsch Memorial Foundation

Gregory M. Hirsch Foundation Raised Funds to Benefit The Joseph M. Sanzari Children\'s Hospital

The Gregory M. Hirsch Memorial Foundation Beefsteak Dinner was held on Wednesday, November 3, 2010 at the Brownstone on 351 West Broadway, Paterson NJ. Press Release from Hackensack University Medical Center, January 7, 2011: The Gregory M. Hirsch Memorial Foundation, a foundation dedicated to pediatric heart care, research, treatment, and education for the detection of heart conditions in children, held a fundraiser at the Brownstone Restaurant in Paterson to benefit Pediatric Cardiology, a division of the Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital at Hackensack University Medical Center (HUMC). Click here to see more.

Dr. Robert Tozzi Wrote an Article About the Tragic Death of 18-Year-Old Ben Breedlove

Suffering from  hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, the same condition that took the life of Gregory M. Hirsch, Ben Breedlove's last video before his death on Christmas night 2011, garnered nearly 1 million hits on You Tube. Director of the Gregory M. Hirsch Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Center at Hackensack University Medical Center, Dr. Rober Tozzi shared his thoughts about the various treatments available to those who suffer from the condition. He also shares the reaction of Gregory's father, Fred, as he watch Ben's video. Mr. Hirsch founded GMHMF in memory of his son with the quest to find a cure. Dr. Tozzi's article can be read here, and it also contains a link to Ben's video.

SAVE THE DATE: 7th Annual Evening From the Heart

  The Gregory M. Hirsch Memorial Foundation Inc. FOR PEDIATRIC HEART CARE & RESEARCH   cordially invites you to attend Our 7th Anniversary “Evening From The Heart”   HONORING Dr. Robert J. Tozzi, Chief of Pediatric Cardiology & the  Staff of the Pediatric Cardiology Center at The Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital at Hackensack University Medical Center   TO BENEFIT  The Gregory M. Hirsch Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Center at Hackensack University Medical Center   Wednesday, May 4, 2011 6:00 PM to 10:30 PM At The Venetian 546 River Drive • Garfield, NJ   click here to view the inviation Lavish Cocktail Buffet Live Music & Dancing • Silent Auction • Business Attire  click here to view the RSVP form

Joint Resolution for HCM Awareness Week

Special thanks to District 36 Senator Paul Sarlo for his support in creating awareness about HCM and helping this resolution pass.   The last week of May of each year will become now designated as Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Awareness Week. SENATE HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES AND SENIOR CITIZENS COMMITTEE  STATEMENT TO SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION No. 29  with committee amendments  STATE OF NEW JERSEY   Dated:  March 10, 2009  As amended by committee, this joint resolution designates the last week of May of each year as "Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Awareness Week" in order to foster awareness and understanding of this genetic disease.  This resolution is intended to promote Statewide awareness to Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) in conjunction with the awareness campaign started in Bergen County at Hackensack University Medical Center by the Gregory Hirsch Foundation, and Fred C. Hirsch, whose son died as a result of HCM. HCM is a complex but relatively common form of genetic heart muscle disease that occurs in one out of 500 people, but often goes undiagnosed because many people do not know that HCM is an inherited cardiovascular disease and do not experience symptoms. The resolution requests the Governor to issue an annual proclamation calling upon public officials and citizens of this State to observe the week wtih appropriate activities and programs. The committee amended the resolution to change the designation from the first week in May to the last week in May of each year. As amended, this resolution is similar to Assembly Joint Resolution No. 116 (Wagner/Voss), which is pending in the Assembly Health and Senior Services Committee.  

Grieving parents set up heart screening tests for Waldwick high schoolers

  Tuesday, March 22, 2011 BY HARVY LIPMAN The Record STAFF WRITER   Sean Fisher collapsed and died on the Waldwick High School football field in 2008 of an undetected heart condition. He was 13. The anguish Sean's death caused his family is something Fred Hirsch can relate to — the Lodi resident lost his son to a similar heart condition in 2004. Hirsch reacted to his loss by forming the Gregory M. Hirsch Foundation in his son's name, with a mission of preventing sudden cardiac death in young people. Click here to read the story

Audrey Hepburn Children\'s House Receives Toy Donation

The holidays will be brighter for clients of the Audrey Hepburn Children’s House, thanks to the generosity of members of the Gregory M. Hirsch Memorial Foundation. Click here to read more.

Sudden Cardiac Death Screenings For Freshman Class

By Press Release   Monday, February 28, 2011, 03:53 PM EST     Printed: The Paramus Post  As American Heart Health Awareness Month comes to a close, think about preventing sudden cardiac death in children and young adults. One of the most common causes of sudden cardiac death is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). HCM is a genetic disease in which the heart muscle becomes abnormally thick, making it harder to pump blood throughout the body. Most people have few, if any, symptoms of this disease. Some people experience shortness of breath when exercising, chest pain, fainting, dizziness, fatigue, or abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias). Early detection and treatment saves lives! For the second year, The Gregory M. Hirsch Memorial Foundation (GMHMF) in conjunction with Waldwick High School will be conducting screenings on Monday, March 21. Last year three students were identified who required follow-up care. One student’s case was serious. Thanks to early detection, these students are now under the care of their physician and have the opportunity to lead strong, productive lives. This innovative screening program was developed by Kerri Winans Kaley, of Huntington, NY, founder of CardiacScan Imaging Services and GMHMF trustee along with Robert J. Tozzi, M.D., FACC, of Ridgewood, director of the Gregory M. Hirsch Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Center, a division of the Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital at Hackensack University Medical Center (HUMC). Freshman students at Waldwick High School may take advantage of this free screening. This year’s screening is sponsored by GMHMF, The Fischer Foundation, Gift of Life America and CardiacScan Imaging Services. Parents of other area students may contact the Gregory M. Hirsch Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Center at (201) 487-7617 to arrange for a private screening session, which costs $265. “Screenings are the only way to know if your child has HCM,” said Fred C. Hirsch, GMHMF Founder. “They are painless and take about 30 minutes. A fraction of time, compared to a lifetime of grief in losing your child.” GMHMF is working with other area non-profit organizations to defray the costs so that every freshman high school class in Bergen County can be screened. Prevent sudden cardiac arrest; save your child’s life! GMHMF is dedicated to preventing sudden cardiac death in children and young adults by better understanding its causes, identifying at-risk individuals and families, and offering those families state-of-the-art treatment and support. All etiologies of sudden cardiac death will be investigated including hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), which is responsible for the vast majority of these devastating losses. For more information, please visit www.gmhmfoundation.org. The Gregory M. Hirsch Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Center, a division of the Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital at HUMC is committed to providing individualized care, treatment, and support to patients and families with HCM. It is the first facility established in the area to screen families for HCM. For more information, please visit www.humc.com/hirsch.  

CBS Channel 2 News: Waldwick Screening draws media attention

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Screenings For Sudden Cardiac Death Proven Invaluable

Contact: Marlene B. Pissott, (201) 612-1230 x 11 Date: June 6, 2011 For Immediate Release SCREENINGS FOR SUDDEN CARDIAC DEATH PROVEN INVALUABLE Out of 94 Students screened at Waldwick High School, two students and their families were spared a possible tragedy thanks to cardiac screenings conducted on March 21st sponsored by the Gregory M. Hirsch Memorial Foundation (GMHMF), The Sean Fisher Memorial Foundation, Gift of Life America and CardiacScan Imaging Services. Because of the early detection screening program, these students are now under the care of their physicians and have the opportunity to lead strong, productive lives. These screenings, now in their second year, have proven to be invaluable. Last year, out of 64 students screened at Waldwick High School, one required major follow-up. Because of the success of these screening programs, six other high schools in Bergen County including have given their approval for GMHMF to conduct screenings for their freshman classes next Fall. One of the most common causes of sudden cardiac death is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). HCM is a genetic disease in which the heart muscle becomes abnormally thick, making it harder to pump blood throughout the body. Most people have few, if any, symptoms of this disease. Some people experience shortness of breath when exercising, chest pain, fainting, dizziness, fatigue, or abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias). This innovative screening program was developed by Robert J. Tozzi, M.D., FACC, of Ridgewood, section chief, Pediatric Cardiology, and director of the Gregory M. Hirsch Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Center, a division of the Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital at Hackensack University Medical Center (HUMC) along with Kerri Winans Kaley of Huntington, NY, founder of CardiacScan Imaging Services and GMHMF trustee. Freshman students at Waldwick High School were able to take advantage of this screening sponsored by GMHMF, the Sean Fisher Memorial Foundation, Gift of Life America and CardiacScan Imaging Services. Parents of other area students may contact the Gregory M. Hirsch Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Center at (201) 487-7617 to arrange for a private screening session. A particular victory in making the public aware of HCM was the designation of the last week in May of each year as "Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Awareness Week" by a joint resolution of both houses of the New Jersey legislature. This resolution was initiated by State Senator Paul A. Sarlo to promote statewide awareness of HCM as a result of the awareness campaign started in Bergen County at the Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital at HUMC by the GMHF. The resolution was recently signed by the Governor and issues an annual proclamation calling upon public officials and citizens of this State to observe the week with appropriate activities and programs. GMHMF is dedicated to preventing sudden cardiac death in children and young adults by better understanding its causes, identifying at-risk individuals and families, and offering those families state-of-the-art treatment and support. All etiologies of sudden cardiac death will be investigated including hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), which is responsible for the vast majority of these devastating losses. For more information, please visit www.gmhmfoundation.org. The Gregory M. Hirsch Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Center, a division of the Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital at HUMC is committed to providing individualized care, treatment, and support to patients and families with HCM. It is the first facility established in the area to screen families for HCM. For more information, please visit www.humc.com/hirsch. # # #  

Gregory M. Hirsch Foundation Celebrated Seventh Annual �An Evening From The Heart�

The Gregory M. Hirsch Memorial Foundation, a foundation dedicated to pediatric heart care, research, treatment and education for the detection of heart conditions in children, recently celebrated their Seventh Annual, “An Evening from the Heart” event at The Venetian in Garfield to benefit the Gregory M. Hirsch Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Center in the Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital at Hackensack University Medical Center (HUMC). Please click here to view photo.

2011 Beefsteak Dinner to benefit \"The Gregory M. Hirsch Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Center\"

The Gregory M. Hirsch Memorial Foundation for Pediatric Heart Care & Research at The Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital At Hackensack University Medical Center Cordially Invites You To Attend A BEEFSTEAK DINNER To Benefit “The Gregory M. Hirsch Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Center” At Hackensack University Medical Center Wednesday, November 9th, 2011 The Brownstone 351 West Broadway Paterson, NJ 6:00PM Tickets $60 Per Person Beefsteak Dinner – Beer – Wine – Soda - Door Prizes Jewelry Sale-Card Reader   To Purchase Tickets Please Contact: Mike Wilenta-Chairman at 201-410-3309  

Beefsteak Dinner to Benefit The Gregory M. Hirsch Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Center

Click here to view photos of the Beefsteak Dinner to Benefit The Gregory M. Hirsch Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Center  on www.mybergen.com