Greg Olsen presents $300K check to MUSC after HEARTest Yard Celebrity Classic
By Bailey Wright
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — Football sportscaster and former Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen presented a check to the Medical University of South Carolina’s Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital on Friday.
Olsen was co-host of the Kiawah Island Club’s second annual HEARTest Yard Celebrity Classic, which raised $300,000.
Officials said the money will help expand the Pediatric Cardiovascular Foundation’s services in the Charleston region in partnership with MUSC.
The event was co-hosted by the Kiawah Island Club and its owners, South Street Partners. It was presented by Hendrick Lexus Charleston on June 11 and 12.
“At South Street, we believe that one of life’s greatest investments is time. The most priceless of course is time spent with loved ones and we are humbled that Greg and his family have utilized Kiawah Island for just that over the years. After learning more about T.J.’s story and the HEARTest Yard program, we knew that this was the perfect place to expand their efforts and were thrilled to host them again this year. We hope everyone who participated will return year after year to help us support the HEARTest Yard,” said Will Culp, Partner, South Street Partners.
Olsen and his wife Kara established the HEARTest Yard program in 2012, after their son T.J. was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. the foundation was created to help families of babies born with congenital heart disease find healthcare support and services to ease the transition from the hospital to their home.
This year, the foundation celebrated its 10th anniversary and over $5 million donated in support of pediatric cardiac patients. The HEARTest Yard Fund is through a partnership between Receptions for Research: The Greg Olsen Foundation and Atrium Health Foundation.
The Olsen family opened The HEARTest Yard Congenital Heart Center at Levin Children’s Hospital in 2020. They hope services provided by the program will also soon be offered at MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital.
