Vegas For Athletes

The Press is Talking : VFA Summer Games 2026 is Officially in Motion
We’re proud to share that our official press release for the inaugural VFA Summer Games 2026 has just gone out through JB Public Relations. This release introduces our citywide youth sports festival to the public, emphasizing our heart-first mission, groundbreaking format, and the powerful community partnerships that are making it all possible. From elite venues to life-saving screenings, this is more than a competition, it’s a movement.
📣 Read the full announcement here: https://1drv.ms/b/c/cb3f10b8c550b86c/Eb80kVKM2a9Nv912MlSMpSYBPUPMs0z6-zBdnKKbQPNg6w?e=Wap2rc

We are deeply saddened to hear about the sudden passing of 13-year-old Brandon Rozzell Jr., son of VCU basketball legend Brandon Rozzell.
A rising star in the making, Brandon Jr. had a bright future ahead of him. His unexpected death is another painful reminder that sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) doesn’t discriminate not by age, talent, or potential.
No parent should have to bury their child. No family should have to wonder “what if?” That’s why our mission at Vegas For Athletes is urgent: to provide free ECG heart screenings to protect young athletes before it’s too late.
To the Rozzell family, our hearts are with you.

What is VFA Summer Games? It is a citywide Las Vegas youth sports competition and Festival. Heart screening is a must.
14 sports
Opening + Closing Ceremonies
Free heart screenings for every athlete
Because sudden cardiac arrest is the #1 medical cause of death in young athletes and we’re not waiting for another tragedy to act.

The VFA Summer Games is where competition meets purpose.
And we’re just getting started.
Waitlist now open.

Maxx Crosby Football Camp + Heart Screening = A Powerful Day for Vegas Kids
What an incredible day. Over 750 people came out for the Maxx Crosby Football Camp and every single person witnessed the impact of what happens when sports and health come together.
The news showed up.
Maxx showed up.
Families showed up.
And once again, we did too.
Vegas for Athletes offered free heart screenings on-site and like every time, we found cardiac abnormalities in young athletes. This is exactly why we do it.
Sudden Cardiac Arrest is the #1 medical cause of death in young athletes.
We are not okay with that. Thank you to Maxx Crosby and every parent, athlete, volunteer, and supporter who made this day unforgettable.
Let’s keep protecting our youth one heartbeat at a time.

Please share this.
www.vfasummergames.org

July 23rd, Toby Atwood of Armstrong County was a student–athlete at Thiel College a private university in Greenville, Pennsylvania.

While running the Presque Isle Half Marathon in Erie on Sunday, where Atwood suddenly collapsed.

Sadly, Toby later died in the hospital’s emergency room, and her death was determined to be ‘cardiac–related,’ according to Erie County Coroner Lyell Cook.

We continue to strongly urge parents, coaches, and community leaders to reach out to us for child screening. Your participation in our events and introductions can make a vital difference. Together, we can help prevent another tragedy and protect our children. Please contact us today, your involvement can save lives.

Standout college tennis player, 21, dies during half marathon A 21-year-old college tennis player collapsed and died during a half marathon in Pennsylvania last weekend.

A 10-year-old boy passed away from sudden cardiac arrest — just one day after winning his baseball championship.
This is why we fight for free heart screenings. This is why it matters.
Rest easy, champ. 💔⚾️

Just one day after winning his baseball championship, a 10-year-old boy tragically passed away from sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) a reminder of how fragile life can be, even in moments of joy.
He was doing what he loved. Smiling. Celebrating. Living the dream every young athlete holds. And then, without warning, his heart stopped.
At Vegas For Athletes, we exist to prevent moments like this. To protect young hearts with free ECG heart screeningsand raise awareness around SCA the #1 cause of death in young athletes.
No trophy, no game, no celebration should ever be the final chapter of a child’s life. We owe it to every family, every teammate, and every coach to take action before it’s too late.
Our hearts are with his family, his teammates, and his entire baseball community.
Rest in peace, champ. Your love for the game lives on through the lives we work to protect.

Just one day after winning his baseball championship, a 10-year-old boy tragically passed away from sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) a reminder of how fragile life can be, even in moments of joy.
He was doing what he loved. Smiling. Celebrating. Living the dream every young athlete holds. And then, without warning, his heart stopped.
At Vegas For Athletes, we exist to prevent moments like this. To protect young hearts with free ECG heart screenings and raise awareness around SCA the #1 cause of death in young athletes.
No trophy, no game, no celebration should ever be the final chapter of a child’s life. We owe it to every family, every teammate, and every coach to take action before it’s too late.
Our hearts are with his family, his teammates, and his entire baseball community.
Rest in peace, champ. Your love for the game lives on through the lives we work to protect.

Another one! 💓 That makes THREE heart screenings this July alone.

We’re teaming up with Hope For The City on July 25 & 26 for two more days of free ECG screenings for youth athletes because when the city shows up, so do we.

Hope For The City is a Las Vegas nonprofit that feeds families, supports kids, and brings real help to the communities that need it most. We’re proud to partner with them on something that could save lives.

A huge thank you to our sponsors who make all of this possible:
Chase • UnitedHealthcare • Intermountain • Meesha • Dick’s Sporting Goods • CardiaCare

We’re not slowing down, the mission is growing.

Meet Dr. Ricardo Samson: The Heart Behind the Heart Screenings.

If there’s one person we could never do this without, it’s Dr. Ricardo Samson.

From the very beginning of Vegas for Athletes, Dr. Samson has stood with us, reading every single ECG, providing expert oversight, and giving his time, heart, and unmatched expertise to this mission.

What started as a vision to protect young athletes became a reality because of him. His dedication has been nothing short of extraordinary.

With over two decades in pediatric cardiology, multiple fellowships, and board certifications, Dr. Samson brought more than credentials — he brought belief in our cause and a willingness to serve our community.

Simply put, none of this would have been possible without him.

This month, we’re honored to highlight Dr. Ricardo Samson. A leader, a partner, and truly the heart of our mission.

Thank you, Dr. Samson, for everything you’ve done and continue to do for the kids and families of Las Vegas.

We’re excited to welcome the newest MLB team, the Las Vegas A’s, to our city!
As they get ready to make their mark on the field, we hope they’ll join us off the field as well by becoming a community partner in our mission to provide free heart screenings for student-athletes across Las Vegas.
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