The Brianna Badger Foundation was started in memory of our daughter who died from Long QT Syndrome (LQTS), a cardiac arrhythmia three times more common in the U.S. than childhood leukemia. According to the Mayo Clinic, more than 1,000 children and young adults in the United States, like Brianna, die suddenly and unexpectedly due to cardiac arrhythmias. That equates to four deaths a day.

The Brianna Badger Foundation was established because our Brianna's condition was identifiable and was missed by the Emergency Room doctor at the hospital she initially visited, the Children’s Hospital doctor she was referred to, and her pediatrician who received a copy of her electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG). Brianna's fainting episode in March at her daycare was misdiagnosed by the paramedics and subsequent ER doctor and her condition classified as a seizure.  The EKG taken that day was even read by other doctors that missed the computer generated notation of an abnormal rhythm.  Her death one month later could have been avoided had the four different caregivers known of the condition and recognized her symptoms.

By increasing physician, care giver and educator awareness about sudden cardiac death and its symptoms, we believe more children and young adults will be correctly screened, diagnosed and treated after a fainting incident.  The Brianna Badger Foundation’s mission is dedicated to increasing awareness of the warning signs of heart rhythm abnormalities of children and young adults among pediatricians, school nurses, daycares, and emergency room personnel throughout Colorado, including EMTs and Fire Department professionals.