Press Release: Gov. Evers to Announce Plan to Build Upon “Kai 11” Bill, Invest in EKG Screening Pilot to Protect Student-Athlete Health
State of Wisconsin sent this bulletin at 02/15/2023 07:45 AM CSTFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 15, 2023 |
Contact: GovPress@wisconsin.gov |
Gov. Evers to Announce Plan to Build Upon “Kai 11” Bill, Invest in EKG Screening Pilot to Protect Student-Athlete Health |
Mother, loved ones of Kai Lermer to attend as governor’s guests to 2023-25 biennial budget message |
MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers tonight will announce his 2023-25 budget will build upon 2021 Wisconsin Act 210, also known as the “Kai 11” bill. The “Kai 11” bill was signed by the governor last year in honor of 16-year-old Waukesha North High School student-athlete Kai Lermer. Kai was playing a pick-up game of basketball in 2019 when he went into cardiac arrest due to an undiagnosed heart condition and passed away. An electrocardiogram (EKG) screening could have discovered Kai’s condition, allowing Kai and his family to take life-saving precautions and preventative measures.
Gov. Evers and First Lady Kathy Evers will welcome Kai’s mother and close family and friends at the governor’s 2023-25 biennial budget message tonight, Wed., Feb. 15, 2023, at 7 p.m.
“As a former educator and the father and grandfather of kids involved in student athletics, I know that every parent or adult whose kids participate in these activities wants every kid to be safe when they do. Student athletics play a valuable role in kids’ health, wellness, social connections, and academic success, but hidden heart conditions like Kai’s present a scary risk,” said Gov. Evers. “The ‘Kai 11’ bill created a pathway for us to raise awareness of this important issue, but we have to continue building upon that important work so parents can make the best decisions for their kids’ health. The ‘Kai 11’ bill is saving lives, and I believe that this initiative will, too.”
Kai’s parents, Mike and Patty, along with Kai’s godfather, Paul Ybarra, have been tireless advocates for raising awareness about cardiac conditions in student-athletes in the years since Kai’s passing. Their leadership and relentless advocacy were key to passing the “Kai 11” bill, as was the dedication of Kai’s friends, school and district leadership, local elected officials, and representatives from the Wisconsin Athletic Trainers Association, the American Heart Association, and Children’s Wisconsin.
“The Kai Lermer Memorial Foundation has funded low-cost EKG screening for high school athletes in Southeastern Wisconsin over the past three years. We have identified dozens of kids at risk and several with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. Identifying those kids with an increased risk in their EKG results now, before a Sudden Cardiac Arrest event, gives that parent and child options that Kai did not have. This EKG Screening Pilot will identify kids at risk and save lives,” said Paul Ybarra, co-founder of The Kai Lermer Memorial Fund and Kai’s godfather.
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An online version of this release is available here. |
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