Kieran Popp is the inspiration behind KAP for the Heart. Kieran passed away on September 3, 2015 from sudden cardiac arrest due to Hyertrophic Cardiomyopathy, he was only 23 years old. Hyertrophic Cardiomyopathy is a condition in which the heart muscle becomes abnormally thick and is a common cause of sudden cardiac arrest in young people, including athletes. Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is the leading cause of death in the U.S., taking the lives of 600,000 annually, according to the Institute of Medicine. But what most parents don’t know is that SCA is the #1 killer of student athletes and the #2 medical cause of death among youth under 25.
Kieran and his family did not know that he had a fatal heart disease. When he was a senior in high school Kieran was involved in a major auto accident on Christmas Day in 2009 and no cause was found for the accident, even though he had been transported to the hospital by Care Flight and spent weeks in the ICU unit. There was never diagnosed with a heart condition that would eventually take Kieran's life (even though Kieran's mother insisted to the doctors that something was wrong).
Kieran was a 2010 graduate of Northmont High School, where he was involved in the wrestling program all four years of his career. He became the Varsity heavyweight wrestler and was on his way to a winning season before the auto accident. Kieran did not give up he went to the first wrestling meet as soon as he was released from the hospital and attended every practice and worked on his rehab and gaining back his strength while his teammates practiced. On Senior night he was determined to walk across the mat even though his left leg had been crushed by the accident. Kieran received a standing ovation by both sides of the gym.
Kieran loved music he played percussion in the band at school. His dream was to make music for movies and video games. Shortly before he passed away he picked up his guitar and began to play again as well as practice basic scales on the piano. One of his favorite songs was "Ready to Fly" by Richard Marx (2004), the line "I've always had wings, but wasn't ready to fly" was an inspiration for KAP for the Heart.
Kieran is survived by his Beloved Mother Jeanene, Grandparents Lawrence and Mary, Aunts Francesca (Jason Wright), Chrissy (Hager), Uncles Philip (Jamie) and Patrick and several cousins. Kieran also is survived by his special dog Maximus.
Join with KAP for the Heart to help young adults become proactive about heart health and prevent sudden cardiac arrest in youth.