Smiling Hearts: The Nick Blakely Foundation

08/01/2026

Thanks to the generous sponsorship of Smiling Hearts: The Nick Blakely Foundation, we’ll be offering preventative heart screenings in Loganville, GA, this Saturday for no charge.

The family of Nick Blakely continues to work to honor his life & legacy by partnering with whoweplayfor & the_nola_network’s Keep The Beat project to ensure that Georgia student athletes have access to these preventative heart screenings. Sign up today & help us make sure no other life is affected by sudden cardiac arrest.

08/01/2026

What an incredible day! ❤️🤎🩷

We had a wonderful turnout for our FREE Student Heart Screening Event, and we’re so grateful to every family who came out to take this important step in protecting their children’s heart health.

A special thank you to The The NOLA Network and The Living Word Baptist Church for your partnership, dedication, and tireless work to make this event possible. Together, we’re raising awareness, providing lifesaving screenings, and helping prevent sudden cardiac arrest before tragedy strikes.

Every screening is an opportunity to identify an undetected heart condition, educate a family, and potentially save a life. Together, we’re making a difference—one heart at a time. ❤️🤎🩷

07/29/2026

Seeing a flag for Nick among thousands at the National CPR & AED Awareness Rally in Washington, D.C. was an emotional reminder of why we continue this mission.

Every flag represents a life forever changed by sudden cardiac arrest—someone who was lost or someone who survived because help came in time.

Thank you to Who We Play For for honoring Nick by placing a flag in his memory. Your commitment to raising awareness, expanding access to CPR and AEDs, and helping prevent future tragedies means more than words can express.

Nick is forever in our hearts, and we will continue fighting for a future where more lives are saved through awareness, preparedness, and early action.

07/08/2026

Stories like this are why SCA awareness matters. So much respect for the Cardiello family for turning unimaginable loss into a mission that is helping save lives. ❤️

06/12/2026

02/11/2026

Whether you’re a student athlete, coach, or parent — this is news worth knowing! 🙌🏾

Leon County high school athletes will soon be required to have a one-time EKG heart screening before they can compete — starting in the 2026–2027 school year. This proactive health measure aims to detect hidden heart conditions early and keep our kids safe on the field. 💪🏾❤️ 

👉🏾 Learn more and read the full story here: https://www.wtxl.com/college-town/new-ekg-requirements-coming-for-leon-county-high-school-athletes-to-detect-heart-conditions

📌 First-time high school athletes will need the quick, painless EKG before joining sports teams.
📌 Exemptions are available for medical, religious, or cost concerns.
📌 The goal? Catch potential issues early and help keep young athletes healthy. 

Leon County will require a one-time EKG for high school athletes before competition, starting in the 2026–27 school year. The goal is simple. Catch potential heart concerns earlier and give families more information before a season begins.

An EKG isn’t a guarantee. It’s a tool and the best method of detecting conditions that lead to sudden cardiac arrest and death.

Read more:
https://www.wtxl.com/college-town/new-ekg-requirements-coming-for-leon-county-high-school-athletes-to-detect-heart-conditions

02/10/2026

This weekend, 50 young people received heart screenings—an important step in detecting hidden heart conditions that can lead to sudden cardiac arrest.

Each screening represents peace of mind for a family and a chance to catch potential risks before tragedy strikes. We’re incredibly grateful to the families, volunteers, medical professionals, and partners who made this day possible.

This is how lives are protected! Thank you Kerri O’Kelley and the Cardiello family, The NOLA Network, and Gwinnett Parks and Recreation for supporting youth heart screening and continuing to spread awareness.

Please continue to share and advocate for heart health in your communities❤️

02/06/2026

❤️ Heart Attacks and Sudden Cardiac Arrest are NOT the same — and knowing the difference can save a life.

⚡ Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA): A life-threatening emergency where the heart suddenly stops beating, often linked to conditions like an enlarged heart — especially in young athletes.
🏃‍♂️ Most athletes show no warning signs.
🩺 Screening saves lives.

🫀 Heart Attack: A blockage stops blood flow to the heart muscle. The heart often keeps beating, but damage occurs.
👉 Monitor blood pressure and cholesterol to reduce risk.

Knowledge, prevention, and early screening make all the difference. Share this — it could save someone you love. 💙

01/25/2026

❤️ A simple screening can save a young life. ❤️

Sudden cardiac arrest often strikes youth with no warning signs. Heart screenings can detect hidden conditions before tragedy happens.

Join us for National Youth Heart Screening Day — FREE screenings for ages 10–22.

🗓 Saturday, February 7 | 10AM–2PM
📍 Lucky Shoals Park
👉 Register: Bit.ly/NationalYouthHeartScreeningDay

Protect their heart. Protect their future.
Please share. ❤️