Christie's Heartoberfest raises SADS awareness

Looking back, Christie passed out a few times over the years, classic symptoms, but the doctors never thought to look at it as an option. Long QT is genetic and shortly after her death it was found in eight of Christie’s family members. Once it is diagnosed, Long QT is highly treatable and can be controlled by beta-blockers or by an implanted cardiac defibrillator.

“It is so treatable, if people know about it,” said Barbara Tolosky, Christie’s mother. “Our goal is to just get the word out there that this exists and that if you see the signs have your child checked.”

In her honor, and to raise awareness of sudden arrhythmia death syndrome (SADS), the Tolosky family is holding the second annual Christie’s Heartoberfest, Saturday, Sept. 22, from noon to dark, at the Columbia Pavilion, Saratoga Spa State Park.

The event will feature several raffles and silent auctions, food, fun, volleyball and more. Her family noted the joyful, always-smiling Christie would have loved the attention being given to her in this event. And, the raffles and silent auction would have thrilled the girl who could sniff out a present from a mile away and just had to know what was inside it. But the love of the surprise worked both ways, and if she had a present for someone she couldn’t wait for the recipient to open it and would often badger them until they did.

Since Christie’s death, the family has worked tirelessly to raise awareness and get the word out to everyone who may have had any symptoms that SADS exists and should be ruled out as it can often be missed, if it is not being looked for specifically. The family also is working to get athletic departments, coaches, gym teachers on board and aware since it most often affects young people.

“All we do 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week is keep our eyes and ears open if we hear anybody (who may have had symptoms), it doesn’t make any difference who it is, just make sure they’re aware and this is ruled out,” said Craig, Christie’s father.

Last year’s Heartoberfest drew nearly 100 people and helped raise $10,000 for SADS foundation.

For more information on SADS, logon to www.sads.org. For information on Christie’s Heartoberfest, logon to www.christiesheartoberfest.com or call Danielle Nichols at 222-7390.