A Passion for Assistance – Themerrythought

Karen Schrah, Founder of Living for Zachary, Transforms a Heartbreaking Loss into Her Son’s Enduring Legacy

by Karyn Brodsky | Staff Writer

“Things turn out best for those who make the best of the way things turn out.” -Jack Buck

This impactful quote from Jack Buck, the sports announcer for the St. Louis Cardinals, was featured in an essay by Zachary Schrah, a student from Plano. This essay beautifully encapsulated the optimistic outlook of the thoughtful teenager. Tragically, shortly after sharing this perspective, the life of 16-year-old Zachary Troy Schrah was upended by a devastating event.

“The feeling came over me the night he died, and I knew I had to do something. I kept telling myself that there had to be a reason for this, that God had a plan that was much bigger than Zachary’s life.” - Zachary’s mom, Karen Schrah — “The feeling came over me the night he died, and I knew I had to do something. I kept telling myself that there had to be a reason for this, that God had a plan that was much bigger than Zachary’s life.”
– Zachary’s mom, Karen Schrah

Born on February 10, 1993, in Plano, Zac epitomized the All-American boy. His passions included baseball, football, hunting, fishing, and riding ATVs. “He had an infectious personality and loved spending time outdoors, engaging in sports, and being around friends,” Karen recalls. “He brought so much joy into my life.”

On April 2, 2009, with no prior indications, Zac suddenly collapsed during football practice at school. This seemingly healthy young man succumbed to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), a congenital heart condition that often results in sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) in young athletes. HCM causes the heart muscle to thicken, which impedes blood flow and forces the heart to exert more effort in pumping blood.

On April 2, 2009, with no signs or warnings, 16-year-old Zachary Schrah collapsed during high school football practice in Plano. The seemingly healthy teen died from a congenital heart disease called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).

In a moment when many parents might have sought solitude in their grief, Karen Schrah opted for action. “I felt an overwhelming urge the night he passed away, a sense that I needed to act,” she shared. “I kept reminding myself that there must be a greater purpose behind this tragedy, that God had a plan far beyond Zachary’s time on Earth.”

Within just three months, Schrah collaborated with other parents of Zac’s friends to establish Living for Zachary, which began as a community solidarity walk to help young people cope with Zac’s passing. “Zac touched countless lives,” Schrah reflects. “I was motivated to assist his friends in healing and to promote awareness about SCA.”

Before long, the organization evolved, leading to efforts to fund an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) program. Each AED costs around $2000, which includes CPR and AED training. The first AED was donated to St. Mark Catholic Church in Plano, where it was instrumental in saving the life of a congregant who went into cardiac arrest during a service.

Schrah then reached out to The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano, forging a partnership that led to the creation of the Living for Zachary Heart Screening Program, which has screened over 3000 children to date. Just one month after connecting with the hospital, the organization orchestrated a fundraising race and successfully raised sufficient funds for two additional AEDs.

Just five months after Zac’s death, a successful working relationship with The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano resulted in the creation of the Living for Zachary Heart Screening Program, which has already proactively screened over 3000 kids.

To date, Living for Zachary has successfully funded 129 AEDs, distributed to various youth organizations such as the Boys & Girls Club, the YMCA, churches, schools, and sports teams. The initiative has gained national traction, with an established application process for nationwide AED donation requests.

Sarah, Zac’s younger sister, who shares a strong bond with him and was born a year after him, has joined the family’s mission, helping to promote SCA awareness through volunteering at health fairs, community events, and school presentations. Living for Zachary has also joined forces with other bereaved families to speak about SCA in schools and donate AEDs. Furthermore, the organization hosts a Heartbeats Run and a Heartbeats Gala every February, coinciding with American Heart Month and Zac’s birthday, to raise funds for screenings and AEDs, while also offering scholarships for graduating high school students and support for the nursing program at Collin College.

Reflecting on the Friday before Zach’s passing, Schrah recalls a meeting with his school counselor to discuss college plans. She fondly remembers how eager he was to share his ambition of becoming a doctor. “That weekend, I felt such pride in the young man my son was growing into,” Schrah beams. Sadly, just a week later, those dreams were cut short. Yet through her unwavering dedication, Karen Schrah ensures that many lives are touched and saved in Zac’s memory. “The journey has been nothing short of incredible and powerful,” she expresses.

In recognition of her resilience and her inspiring work to raise awareness about SCA, provide heart screenings, and donate AEDs, while exemplifying how to turn adverse circumstances into opportunities for positive change, Themerrythought Magazine proudly presents this month’s VIP award to Karen Schrah.

For further details, please visit living4zachary.org.