Plainfield North High School students are invited and encouraged to get a free EKG screening during school on February 9, 2012, courtesy of the Midwest Heart Foundation and the PNHS Athletic Boosters organization.

The Midwest Heart Foundation has worked with local high schools since 2006 to offer painless, private, two-minute EKGs to thousands of teenagers.

More than 7,000 children die of sudden cardiac arrest each year, according to the Midwest Heart Foundation. Most of these children have never had a screening to prevent sudden death. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or HCM if undiagnosed is commonly what causes young children to have sudden cardiac arrest.

Parental consent is required for the screening. Parents can register children and provide consent at www.midwestheart.org.

Volunteers are still needed to help out at the event. Training will be held from 5:30-7 p.m. and from 7-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at PNHS.

Please call PNHS Principal Ray Epperson or Associate Principal Stan Bertoni for more information at (815) 609-8506.