By ALANA LISTOE

Independent Record

Playing basketball is reminding middle school students in Helena of the dangers of heart disease.

For the past 15 years students at Helena Middle School have been the top fundraisers for the American Heart Association’s Hoops for Heart program, raising more than $100,000 for the cause.

With basketball as the theme, students shot hoops during gym class on Monday to promote enthusiasm for the fundraiser currently taking place.

Seventh-grader Dava Harvey is geared up for the fundraiser this year because she’s lost many family members to heart disease.

“I want to help save (my family) and anybody else that has it,” she said.

Hoops for Heart is a national program designed to help fight against heart disease and stroke — the leading cause of death in Lewis and Clark County, Montana and the U.S. The program started 24 years ago with jump roping, but changed about a decade ago to basketball.

The program’s focus, however, has not changed. It’s designed to educate students on how to lead a healthy lifestyle while at the same time raising needed funds to support vital research and educational programs.

Janet Erickson, Helena Middle School physical education teacher, said she’s proud of the efforts of her students. There’s tremendous buy-in from the students and Erickson is the driving force behind that.

“We know we save lives,” Erickson said.

Katelynn Shea, 13, has been the top donator for the past two years. In 2007, she raised $1,400 and $1,000 last year. This year, she hopes to top that with a goal of $2,000. She’s well on her way already, raising $700.

Shea has a 3-year-old sister for inspiration.

Shea’s little sister, Malea Brancamp, was born with four holes in her heart, and because of doctors, treatments and medication, three are now closed.

“I want to help anybody that had congestive heart disease,” Shea said.

For Lyndsy Birchmier, a seventh-grader, Hoops for Heart is a good way to get in some extra practice time. Birchmier is on the basketball team and says she enjoys the sport because it keeps her heart active and healthy.

“I do it to help those affected because it’s hard to lose family members,” Jennings said.

Students have until Dec. 4 to raise money. To donate visit www.american heart.org/hoops.

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