Bankers Healthcare Group Sponsors The Breanna Vergara Foundation 5K And Color Run
DAVIE, Fla., Dec. 17, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- After 11-year-old dancer Breanna Vergara of South Florida died of sudden cardiac arrest, her parents established the Breanna Vergara Foundation to raise awareness about heart screenings that can save other children at risk.
As an accomplished young athlete, Vergara seemed perfectly healthy until she suddenly collapsed at Miami Dancity Studio on December 9, 2014. Vergara unknowingly suffered from Wolff Parkinson White syndrome, a congenital heart defect. WPW syndrome is easily identifiable through an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) scan. Had Vergara's condition been identified, her early death may have been prevented.
Earlier this week, more than 2,000 supporters turned out for the inaugural Breanna Vergara 5K & Color Run held Sunday, December 13 in Miami Lakes. According to 7News, the event raised more than $7,000 for the foundation. In addition, Miami Lakes Mayor Michael Pizzi presented a proclamation establishing December 9 as Breanna Vergara Day.
Bankers Healthcare Group, a South Florida-based financial services company, was one of many BVF 5K event sponsors.
"Breanna's life was a beautiful one," said BHG President Bob Castro. "Although her tragic passing will always be incredibly difficult to bear, it's inspiring to see how the Vergaras have used her story to raise awareness and ultimately save the lives of other children at risk. I'm sure that Breanna would be very proud."
Vergara was born April 5, 2003 and grew up in Miami Lakes, Florida, with her parents and younger sister Gabriella. She started formal dance training at age 3 and earned her first solo at age 5. She practiced ballet, jazz, contemporary, lyrical, hip-hop and ballroom while competing on local and national levels. She brought home the highest score of Platinum for one of her solos, national Title Soloist for another and placed top 10 in almost all of her competitions.
In school, Vergara excelled as a student and leader. In 2014, she was presented with the American Legion Award at her elementary school for demonstrating good character. She also served as Student Council President, Safety Patrol Captain and Book Club President.
Event photographs are available at www.jcephotos.com/bv5k, courtesy of JCE Photography. Follow #BVF5K and #onlyonebrebre on social media to see more photos and posts from the event.
About the Breanna Vergara Foundation
Jesus and Claudia Vergara established The Breanna Vergara Foundation after the unexpected death of their 11-year-old daughter, Bre-Bre, a healthy middle school student and avid dancer who collapsed during dance practice due to an undiagnosed congenital heart defect that caused sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). The foundation's missions are to offer sponsorships for children to participate in extracurricular activities, to create awareness of the necessity for pediatric heart screenings, to make pediatric electrocardiograms (EKGs) readily available to all children, to provide life-saving Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) to local dance studios and places where children are active in play and sports, and to contribute to Nicklaus Children's Hospital for the funding of a mobile EKG unit. For more information, please visit The Breanna Vergara Foundation website at www.BreannaVergara.org.
About Bankers Healthcare Group
Since 2001, Bankers Healthcare Group has been committed to providing hassle-free financial solutions to healthcare professionals, including personal and commercial loans, credit cards and insurance services. BHG has provided more than $2 billion in funding to thousands of satisfied customers nationwide. Inc. has recognized the company ten times for growth and job creation. For additional information, please visit www.bhg-inc.com.
Contact: Pat Harrigan (315) 671-4129
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SOURCE Bankers Healthcare Group
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