Young athletes in Missouri City can get a free cardiac screening Sunday, Aug. 30, at the Recreation & Tennis Center on Cypress Point Drive.

The event, running from 1:30 to 4 p.m. at 2701 Cypress Point Drive, is open to athletes ages 11 to 25 regardless of school, sport or level of play. KPRC 2, the Cody Stephens Foundation and Missouri City Fire & Rescue are co-sponsoring the screening, KPRC 2 reported Wednesday, Aug. 26.

Parents can register their athletes in advance through the Cody Stephens Foundation's website. Walk-ins are also welcome.

The screening targets hidden heart conditions that routine sports physicals often miss. Sudden cardiac death in young athletes is usually caused by undiagnosed structural or electrical heart conditions, according to the foundation's screening page. The foundation uses the Cardea 20/20 ECG, a system it says targets heart conditions specifically in active youth and student athletes. Results come back in under a minute, with a false-positive rate of about 2%.

This marks the 13th consecutive year KPRC 2 and the foundation have partnered on the screenings. Scott Stephens created the nonprofit after his son Cody Stephens died in May 2012 at age 18 from sudden cardiac arrest caused by an undiagnosed heart condition. Scott and Melody Stephens founded the organization and helped pass House Bill 76 in 2019. Known as Cody's Law, the legislation ensures Texas students and families can access educational materials about sudden cardiac arrest and request an electrocardiogram screening.

The foundation's screenings have detected more than 4,000 potentially life-threatening heart conditions and potentially saved more than 200 young lives, the foundation told KPRC 2 in January.

A $25 donation to the foundation can sponsor one ECG screening for a child.

What to know:

  • When: Sunday, Aug. 30, 1:30–4 p.m.
  • Where: Missouri City Recreation & Tennis Center, 2701 Cypress Point Drive
  • Who: Athletes ages 11–25, any school, sport or level
  • Cost: Free
  • Registration: codystephensfoundation.org; walk-ins accepted

Coming up in Missouri City and Stafford:

  • Elkins football opens its season Saturday, Aug. 29.
  • Stafford City Council hears a flood mitigation report Wednesday, Sept. 2.