Young Hearts for Life

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Young Hearts for Life YH4L is the largest heart screening program in the United States.We offer FREE ECGs to area youth. Lives have been saved. Non-profit organization.

Young Hearts for Life® (YH4L) Heart Screening Program, nationally known for its unique model, has screened over 285,000 students for conditions that cause sudden cardiac death. This is the largest screening Program in the United States. Each week, sudden cardiac death claims the lives of more than 60 young adults in the United States. YH4L has been a leader the medical community to address this problem in the Chicago area. The YH4L screening program was founded by Dr. Joseph Marek in 2006 and is well known for its unique model that uses trained community volunteers to deliver a low cost, efficient screening program. Dr. Marek, an internationally recognized cardiologist, has taught physicians across America how to run screenings for students and athletes. Over 14,000 community volunteers have been trained to provide students with FREE ECGs through YH4L. To date, over 3,100 students screened through YH4L have been identified as “at risk” students. Of those, hundreds were found to have life threatening conditions, including Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, Long QT Syndrome, Wolff-Parkinson- White Syndrome (WPW), Brugada Syndrome, and Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia.

Two screening events. One week. 1,802 students. And potentially life-changing moments.As we closed out September and beg...
10/08/2026

Two screening events. One week. 1,802 students. And potentially life-changing moments.

As we closed out September and began October, we reflect on an incredible week at Neuqua Valley High School.
1,802 students received a free ECG screening. Among them, more than a handful were identified with an abnormal ECG and will now have the opportunity to follow up with a cardiologist.

For those students and their families, that follow-up could mean answers, peace of mind — or the opportunity to address a heart condition that may have otherwise gone unnoticed.

You never know whose life might be changed by one simple screening. ❤️

And none of this happens without an incredible community behind us.

To the 100+ volunteers who gave their time, energy, and heart to serve these students — thank you. You showed up because you believe every student deserves the chance to know more about their heart.

And to our generous sponsors, EKGs for EGKs, Endeavor Health, and the Indian Prairie Educational Foundation — thank you for helping make these screenings possible.

Today at Lockport High School – East Campus, more than 1,200 students received a cardiac screening—and more than a handf...
09/23/2026

Today at Lockport High School – East Campus, more than 1,200 students received a cardiac screening—and more than a handful were identified as needing follow-up with a cardiologist. Early detection can make all the difference.

This incredible effort would not have been possible without the dedication of 115+ volunteers who gave their time and energy to help protect the health and future of these students. We are so grateful for each and every one of you!

A special thank-you to our amazing event sponsors and partners, Endeavor Health and Lockport Township High School District 205, for helping make this important day possible.

👏 1,200+ students screened.
❤️ 115+ volunteers.
🏫 One community coming together to make a difference.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this event such a success!

The 2026-2027 YH4L screening year has officially begun!Through the dedication of an amazing team of volunteers, 1,019 Gl...
08/30/2026

The 2026-2027 YH4L screening year has officially begun!

Through the dedication of an amazing team of volunteers, 1,019 Glenbard West students received free ECG heart screenings, and dozen were identified with an abnormal ECG requiring further evaluation.

Every number represents a student. Every screening represents an opportunity for early detection. And behind it all were more than 130 volunteers who gave their time and hearts to make this possible.

We are incredibly grateful to the Erik “Lonnie” Lonvick Memorial Fund and Glenbard West/District 87 for sponsoring and supporting the event. Their generosity ensured that all students had the opportunity to participate.

Together, we are working to protect young hearts, raise awareness, and give our students the healthiest future possible. ❤️

This is why we do what we do. ❤️Because of YH4L’s heart screening, an undiagnosed heart condition was identified—giving ...
08/22/2026

This is why we do what we do. ❤️

Because of YH4L’s heart screening, an undiagnosed heart condition was identified—giving this student the opportunity to receive the care and surgery he needed. We are incredibly grateful to see him moving forward with hope and a healthier future.

One screening. One student. One life changed.

The 2026-2027 screening year starts this Tuesday! https://yh4l.org/calendar/

07/04/2026
YH4L congratulates the Chicago Hounds Rugby team on their undefeated season and winning the 2026 Major League Rugby Cham...
06/23/2026

YH4L congratulates the Chicago Hounds Rugby team on their undefeated season and winning the 2026 Major League Rugby Championship. 🏉
We’re proud to partner with the Hounds, ensuring their players are heart healthy and ready for the pitch.

What an incredible day at the Young Hearts for Life 5K Race/Walk! ❤️Yesterday, more than 200 runners and walkers came to...
06/01/2026

What an incredible day at the Young Hearts for Life 5K Race/Walk! ❤️

Yesterday, more than 200 runners and walkers came together to support the YH4L program—and thanks to our amazing sponsors, we raised an incredible $55,000! 🙌

The weather couldn’t have been more perfect, the energy was high, and as always, the event was filled with fun, community, and purpose.

A special shoutout to our outstanding Junior Board for their hard work in making this event such a success! Our heartfelt gratitude to Benedictine University for sharing your beautiful campus with us.

Thank you to everyone who showed up, supported, and made a difference. Already looking forward to next year! 🏃‍♀️☀️

04/25/2026

Week after week, our team of volunteers show up with unwavering dedication, traveling near and far to make a difference in the lives of the students we serve.

Your commitment, generosity, and heart do not go unnoticed. You are the driving force behind Young Hearts for Life.

Thank you for going the extra mile—literally and figuratively. We are so grateful for each and every one of you. ❤️

Address

1901 S Meyers Road, Ste 350, Oakbrook Terrace
Villa Park, IL
60181

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