Coon Rapids Fire Ball Gala: A Black-Tie Community Effort to Prevent Sudden Cardiac Arrest in Young Athletes

Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) remains the leading medical cause of death among young competitive athletes in the United States—a devastating reality that strikes without warning and too often without the lifesaving tools or training needed to respond in time. In Coon Rapids, a growing coalition of first responders, nonprofit leaders, medical advocates, and community members is determined to change that.

Today, Saturday, November 15, 2025, the Coon Rapids Fire Department Community Fund (CRFDCF), a certified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, will host its Second Annual Fire Ball Gala at the Bunker Hills Event Center. The black-tie event—now sold out for general admission—aims to raise crucial funds and awareness to protect young athletes through early detection, emergency preparedness, and community education.

A Critical and Preventable Threat

Each year, an estimated 2,000 seemingly healthy people under age 25 die from Sudden Cardiac Arrest, according to national cardiac health data. While rare, SCA occurs in young athletes at a rate of approximately 1 in 50,000 to 1 in 80,000 annually—a risk that increases during intense physical exertion.

The most common culprits are hidden structural or electrical heart conditions, including:

• Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM): a thickening of the heart muscle that can disrupt blood flow
• Coronary Artery Anomalies: congenital artery irregularities that impede circulation during athletic activity

These conditions often go undetected in routine physicals. Yet, medical research consistently shows that early heart screening, rapid access to Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs), and CPR/AED training are the most effective tools for preventing SCA deaths.

A Partnership Rooted in Tragedy and Purpose

This year’s Fire Ball Gala is presented in partnership with the Play For Patrick Foundation (The Patrick Schoonover Heart Foundation)—an organization established in memory of 14-year-old hockey player Patrick Schoonover, who died from SCA caused by undiagnosed heart defects during a youth hockey tournament.

Patrick’s passing sparked a movement. The foundation now provides free heart screenings, including EKGs and echocardiograms, for youth ages 14–24 across the Twin Cities, helping detect the exact conditions that often lead to SCA. Its mission aligns powerfully with the Fire Ball Gala’s purpose: to educate, prevent, and save lives.

Where Community Action Meets Lifesaving Impact

The Coon Rapids Fire Department Community Fund supports initiatives that improve the health, safety, and quality of life in the region—particularly for youth and school communities. The 2025 Fire Ball Gala will directly support three high-impact initiatives:

1. A Third AED for Coon Rapids High School

A portion of event proceeds will fund the purchase of an additional AED for Coon Rapids High School, bringing the total number of donated devices from CRFDCF to three. AEDs are critical during cardiac emergencies, where every minute without defibrillation reduces survival chances by up to 10%.

2. A Community CPR/AED Training Video

Funds will also support the production of a new CPR/AED instructional video, designed to help students, coaches, volunteers, and community members learn how to respond effectively when cardiac emergencies occur.

3. Expanded Education and Outreach

Through its partnership with the Play For Patrick Foundation, the Fire Department Community Fund will help advance regional efforts to provide heart screenings, promote symptom awareness, and ensure youth sports programs adopt strong emergency action plans.

Gala Details

Tickets and sponsorship information are available at:
https://crfdfund.org/fire-ball-gala/

A Community United for Youth Safety

The Fire Ball Gala is more than a formal event—it is an urgent call to action. For families, coaches, medical providers, and local leaders, it represents the belief that no young athlete should lose their life to a preventable cardiac event.

By supporting the gala, the Coon Rapids community is investing in lifesaving equipment, accessible education, and screening tools that can detect problems before tragedy strikes. As the CRFDCF and Play For Patrick Foundation continue their partnership, the hope is clear: that through awareness, preparedness, and early detection, young athletes will have every opportunity to thrive—safely and confidently—on and off the field.

MinneapoliMedia