Our Story
Home » Our Story
Saving Hearts Foundation was established in 2014 by three undergraduate students – Sameer Jafri, Mehwish Khan, and Aneeq Malik – at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). After losing a mutual family friend to sudden cardiac arrest a few months earlier, the three of them gathered in their college dormitory one evening and started the non-profit organization that stands today. Their intention was simple –
to prevent SCA in youth by organizing community heart screenings.
Aneeq Malik (left), Mehwish Khan (center), and Sameer Jafri (right)
One year later,
several notable members joined the foundation, including Andrew (Andyshea) Afyouni, Andre Sanavi, and Timothy Le, all of whom, together, have played an instrumental role in growing Saving Hearts to what it is today.
Saving Hearts Foundation has established two university-based chapters (UCLA and Virginia Tech) for undergraduate volunteers to join heart screening efforts. Additionally, Saving Hearts has had the privilege of working with several prominent general, pediatric, and electrophysiology cardiologists over the years who have worked closely with the foundation to screen thousands of students. Saving Hearts has had the fortune of also working closely with the Eric Paredes Save a Life Foundation operating in San Diego, CA, who has been a close ally, collaborator, and mentor to the foundation for almost a decade.
Heart Screenings
Individuals Screened
Requiring Cardiologist Follow-Up
Dangerous Cardiac Abnormalities Detected
Heart Screenings
Individuals Screened
Requiring Cardiologist Followup
Dangerous Cardiac Abnormalities Detected
Help support
our efforts
Help support our efforts
Help support
our efforts