By Mary Whitfill
Staff Writer
Did you know heart disease causes 26 percent of deaths in the United States? Did you know heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women? Coppell ISD does, and schools are teaming up to help fight.
On Feb. 9, both the CHS girls and boys basketball teams will be playing for the American Heart Association (AHA) fundraiser, Hoops for Heart. The game against Marcus High School will feature special halftime giveaways and entertainment, as well as ticked sales and other proceeds going to the AHA.
“I’ve been playing basketball for years and this is the first time CHS has done Hoops for Heart,” sophomore basketball player Whitney Pickett said. “I am very excited.”
Merchandise was sold at lunches last week to help support AHA, and sales will continue at the freshmen and JV games this week. T-shirts will continue to be sold for $10; cookies will be 2 for $1; a red-dress pin will be $5 and a flyer stating the name of the donor will be $1. The flyer, in the shape of a red heart, will bear the words “I’m helping to stop heart disease and stroke, and save lives. My gift to the American Heart Association will help spread knowledge, advance research and help Americans live longer, stronger lives.”
Under this mission statement will be a line for each donor to sign their names, and the flyers will be posted at the horseshoe.
If an AHA t-shirt is purchased and worn to the game it will count as admission and a ticket will not have to be purchased.
“Hoops for Heart is proving to be a great way to unite all of our basketball players,” CHS basketball coach Jerry Hoffman said.
CHS also named the week of Feb. 1 to 5 “Go Red” week. The goal is to increase awareness of heart disease and how to prevent it. Blood pressure checks are available in the clinic at any time. Also, this Tuesday will be jeans day for all CHS staff and administration. For $2 staff members will be allowed to wear jeans and will be given a “Go Red” pin or bracelet for the day.
CHS is not the only CISD school participating in an American Heart Association fundraiser. Middle schools North and East are also involved in the Hoops for Heart program and all CISD elementary schools held a Jump Rope for Heart fundraiser last week.
“’I’ll be trying to sell T-shirts at (Coppell Middle School North’s) basketball games this week,” CHS Hoops for Heart organizer Kim Pickett said.
Although this is CHS’ first year to organize Hoops for Heart, CISD schools have been participating for years. Austin, Cottonwood Creek, Denton Creek, Lakeside, Mockingbird, Pinkerton, Town Center, Valley Ranch and Wilson Elementary schools have been hosting the Jump Rope for Heart program for upwards of ten years.
“I was really glad I got to jump and I was excited about the prizes,” Denton Creek 4th grader Seth Blackmon said.
Many Coppell teen athletes are actors or presenters in the American Heart Association’s Hoops for Heart. The music video, featuring Coppell residents, is available here.
“Coppell is coming together to help promote healthy living and the city has said that ‘February will be health and heart disease awareness month’,” Kim Pickett said.
To learn more or donate, visit the AHA website under the Coppell High School team link.
“I hope we can continue to do this fundraiser for years to come,” Kim Pickett said. “It really is a great cause.”
