Family and friends of Jake West, who died at age 17 in 2013, have created the Play For Jake Foundation in his memory. The 
foundation’s mission is to prevent sudden cardiac arrest in school-age children. “Our hope is to save lives and help prevent this tragedy from happening to other families,” reads a mission statement at www.playforjake.org.
Jake, a LaPorte High School junior, collapsed and died during a football practice at Kiwanis Field on Sept. 25, 2013, from an undetected heart condition called Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia (ARVD). This disease cannot be diagnosed without proper screening and/or testing. Jake always appeared strong and healthy and participated in both the football and lacrosse programs; he showed no signs or symptoms. “This is why it is so important that we spread this awareness to help save precious lives,” the Play for Jake Foundation states on the website.
The foundation’s goals: “Create an awareness campaign to educate parents and youth about the dangers of undetected heart conditions and how to prevent sudden cardiac arrest among our youth. This campaign would provide screening and protection programs to include educational materials and funds for middle and high schools to ensure children are offered routine heart screenings for undetected heart conditions.”
Besides being an athlete, Jake is remembered for his joy for life and his kindness. He was a leader of LaPorte High School’s Kindness Campaign. “He was in the class that started it all, and he was the one who was the biggest champion of what we were trying to accomplish,” Erin, an LPHS student, says on the site. “It is because of this that I am going to do everything I can to get our entire school behind what Jake started. I don’t want it to be something we do for just a week or a month. I want these kids to live just like their friend did every single day. I want this community to follow suit.”
Contributions may be made to The Play For Jake Foundation Inc., c/o LaPorte Savings Bank, 710 Indiana Ave., LaPorte, IN 46350. Or donate online at www.playforjake.org. A 501(c)3 status is pending for the foundation.