A Heart for Service

Transforming Heartbreak into Hope: Karen Schrah’s Mission through Living for Zachary

by Karyn Brodsky | Staff Writer

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

This inspirational quote from renowned St. Louis Cardinals sportscaster, Jack Buck, reflects the optimistic worldview of Zachary Schrah, a teenage student from Plano. Shortly after articulating this perspective in an essay, 16-year-old Zachary Troy Schrah’s life took a heartbreaking turn.

“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, to Troy and Karen (Granger) Schrah in Plano, Zac embodied the essence of an All-American youth. His passions included baseball, football, hunting, and fishing—anything that got him outdoors with friends. Karen fondly remembers him as “the light of my life.”

Tragically, on April 2, 2009, Zac collapsed unexpectedly during football practice. Despite appearing healthy, he succumbed to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), a congenital heart condition that often leads to sudden cardiac arrest in young individuals, particularly athletes. HCM causes a thickening of the heart muscle, which can interfere with blood flow and heart function.

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 the face of this profound loss, many parents would understandably step back, but Karen Schrah chose to forge ahead. “The night he died, I felt an overwhelming urge to take action,” she recalls. “I kept believing that there was a bigger purpose behind this tragedy, that God had a greater plan for Zachary.”

Within just a few months, Karen and several parents of Zac’s friends founded Living for Zachary, initially hosting a solidarity walk to help the community cope with the loss. “Zac touched so many lives,” Karen reflects. “I felt compelled to help his friends heal while raising awareness about sudden cardiac arrest.”

The initiative quickly evolved, leading to efforts to raise funds for Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs). Each AED costs around $2,000 and comes with CPR and AED training. Their first defibrillator was donated to St. Mark Catholic Church in Plano, where it was successfully used to save a congregant’s life during a cardiac emergency.

Seeking to enhance their mission, Schrah approached The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano for collaboration. Just five months after Zac’s passing, a partnership led to the development of the Living for Zachary Heart Screening Program, which has since screened over 3,000 children for heart conditions. Following their first fundraising race, the group secured enough donations to buy 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.

As of now, Living for Zachary has raised enough funds to acquire 129 AEDs, which have been distributed to various organizations, including the YMCA, schools, and youth sports teams across the nation. The demand for these devices has led to the establishment of an application process for AED requests from communities everywhere.

Zac’s sister, Sarah, who was born about a year after him and shared a close bond with her brother, has also joined the cause. She actively participates in health fairs, community events, and school gatherings to promote awareness of sudden cardiac arrest. Living for Zachary collaborates with other bereaved parents to speak at schools and donate AEDs, alongside organizing a Heartbeats Run and a gala each February to commemorate Zac and raise funds for further initiatives.

Karen fondly recalls discussing college plans with Zachary just before his untimely death, noting his aspiration to become a doctor. “I was so proud of the young man he was evolving into,” she shares. Though Zac’s ambitions of becoming a physician were never fulfilled, Karen’s relentless efforts ensure that his spirit lives on, saving countless lives in his memory. “This journey has been immensely transformative,” she states.

In recognition of her relentless perseverance, her commitment to raising awareness about SCA, and her efforts to provide vital heart screenings and AEDs, Rodrigosaffiliates Magazine proudly presents this month’s VIP award to Karen Schrah.

For further details, please visit living4zachary.org.