David Heller Foundation

The David Heller Foundation was formed in 2006, to honor David Heller, a 17 year-old student-athlete who died on November 23, 2005 as a result of an undiagnosed heart condition called Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM). 

 David had no symptoms that would alert his family that he had a life threatening condition. Since 2006 the Foundation has been promoting the importance of heart health in teenage athletes and educating the public on HCM, the leading cause of death in young athletes. The Foundation has a multipurpose mission of Prevention, Prediction, and Preparedness: PREVENTION: Teaming up with the Providence Heart Institute, the Foundation helps fund research on HCM at the David Heller Center for Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. Research is focused on the causes, diagnosis and potential prevention of HCM. PREDICTION: Through the Foundation's partnerships with Legacy Health and Providence Play Smart, we have sponsored teen heart screening events to alert young people and their families if abnormalities of the heart are found. With the foundation’s support, over 42,000 teens have been screened in the Pacific Northwest. PREPAREDNESS: The Foundation purchases and distributes portable Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs), free of charge, to schools to ensure quick access and response if an emergency arises on the field or in the gym. We have provided over 350 portable AEDs to schools in Oregon and SW Washington. The foundation also provides scholarships for secondary and higher education to deserving students that meet the criteria established by the Board. The David Heller Foundation is a 501 c (3) and is qualified as a Public Charity (tax ID 20-4974161).