Seattle Seahawks, Nick of Time Foundation, and Virginia Mason Franciscan Health Champion Healthy Hearts with Third Annual Youth Heart Screening Event

Feb. 20, 2026

For the third year in a row, Virginia Mason Franciscan Health (VMFH), the Seattle Seahawks and the Nick of Time Foundation are proud to team up to offer a free heart screening to area youth. The heart screening event will take place Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center (12 Seahawks Way, Renton, WA 98056). Youth ages 12-24 can receive a free heart screening. 

"We are incredibly proud to continue our partnership with the Seattle Seahawks and the Nick of Time Foundation, bringing this truly vital heart screening event to our community for the third consecutive year," says Julie Manas, President of Virginia Mason Franciscan Health and CommonSpirit Health's Northwest Region. "These screenings are such powerful tools for early detection and intervention, empowering us to safeguard the long-term well-being of young people. The success of our previous events, which safely identified individuals who benefited from follow-up care, perfectly illustrates the positive role these proactive screenings play in keeping our kids healthy, active, and thriving. We are deeply committed to making a tangible, positive difference in the lives of children and teens across our region."

The Nick of Time Foundation is dedicated to preventing Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) in children and young adults through education, awareness, and vital youth heart screenings. The Nick of Time Foundation was founded to honor 16-year-old Nicholas Varrenti, who died after suffering an SCA. The leading cause of death in young athletes on the playing field is an undetected heart condition. Given its commitment to a healthier future for all, VMFH is proud to join the Seahawks to support this lifesaving work. 

Last year, 545 youth and young adults completed a heart screening, and six individuals needed follow-up care. 

"You can't tell by looking at a child whether their heart is at risk; there are no outward signs, no warning symptoms,” said Darla Varrenti, Executive Director, Nick of Time Foundation. “To find the hidden conditions that can cause sudden cardiac arrest, you have to look beneath the surface. That's exactly what these EKG screenings do, and that's why they are so important for every young person.”

The youth heart screening includes a heart health survey and review of family history, a simple blood pressure reading and physical exam, and an electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG), a noninvasive test that measures activity of the heart. An on-site echocardiogram is conducted in cases with a positive finding on history, physical exam, or EKG. Participants will also receive instruction on "hands-only" CPR and how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED) to assist with CPR, a skill that can be life-saving.

Mariko Harper, MD, Medical Director for the Center for Cardiovascular Health’s hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) program at VMFH attended the event last year with her son. She also volunteers to provide expert consultations for families who may have questions about heart issues and abnormalities. 

“Youth heart screenings can detect silent heart conditions before they become dangerous or even life-threatening,” she said. “Sudden cardiac arrest in young people is rare, but it is devastating when it happens. Screening gives us an opportunity to identify hidden heart disease early and reduce the risk. As both a cardiologist and a parent, I can say that screening is simple, non-invasive and reassuring. It offers either peace of mind or the opportunity to take early action–at no cost.”

Event Details:

• Date: Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026
• Time: 7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. (Appointments every 15 minutes, each approximately 40 minutes)
• Location: Virginia Mason Athletic Center, 12 Seahawks Way, Renton, WA 98056
• Ages: Youth between 12 and 24 years old
• Registration: Pre-registration is required

“I care deeply about identifying hereditary conditions, like hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, early,” said Dr. Harper. “The Nick of Time Foundation was created after a young life was lost to sudden cardiac death from HCM. Being part of an event that turns tragedy into prevention is incredibly meaningful. This event combines screening, education and CPR training in one place. It is not just about identifying risk; it is about equipping families and communities to respond. This event reflects the best of community partnership which is proactive, accessible care in action.”

Virginia Mason Franciscan Health's Center for Cardiovascular Care is nationally recognized for its expert and highly specialized care by esteemed organizations such as the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, U.S. News & World Report, and the Foundation for Health Care Quality. More information is available at the Center for Cardiovascular Health.

About Virginia Mason Franciscan Health

Virginia Mason Franciscan Health (VMFH) is an integrated health system serving the Puget Sound region, including 10 hospitals and 300 care sites. Founded in 1891, VMFH embraces its long history of caring for the most vulnerable, especially the poor and underserved, and meeting the evolving health care needs of the vibrant, diverse communities it serves. VMFH is a proud home to the Bailey-Boushay House, the first skilled nursing and outpatient chronic care management program in the United States designed specifically to meet the needs of people with HIV/AIDS, and the Benaroya Research Institute, an internationally recognized institution for autoimmune disease research. VMFH is part of CommonSpirit, one of the nation’s largest health systems, dedicated to advancing health for all people.

About the Nick of Time Foundation

Based in Mill Creek, WA, the vision of Nick of Time Foundation was created in memory of Nick Varrenti, a multi-sport athlete who suffered a sudden cardiac arrest and died at age 16. Nick of Time programs work together to help protect our young people and communities by providing heart health awareness for young people, early detection of undiagnosed heart abnormalities, and emergency action planning for schools and communities that includes CPR/AED education. Learn more at www.nickoftimefoundation.org.