A middle school student in North Carolina has tragically died after suffering a medical emergency during football practice.
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Caden Sorrell, 13, died after experiencing a sudden cardiac arrest, according to his family.
Doctors believe Sorrell may have had an underlying genetic condition that contributed to his death, although officials have not yet confirmed his exact cause of death.
Student Dies After Medical Emergency at Football Practice
On Sunday, August 30, Northwest Guilford Middle School in Greensboro, North Carolina, announced the heartbreaking loss of one of its students.
"Today, our Northwest Middle School family is grieving the loss of one of our students," school principal CeCe Matson said.
"There are no easy words to make sense of losing a child, and our hearts are with the family, friends, classmates, and all who loved him."
While the school did not identify Sorrell in its initial statement, his family later confirmed that he was the student who had died.
"We ask that you continue to keep this family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time," the statement added.
"As we grieve this loss, let us lean on one another and extend compassion to those around us. A caring heart and gentle presence can mean so much right now."
"Northwest is a family, and we will lean on one another as we heal and honor the memory of our student."
Family Reveals Possible Genetic Condition
Following the medical emergency, emergency crews transported Sorrell to nearby Cone Hospital, where doctors attempted to save his life.
He received treatment with a heart pump and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), a form of life support that temporarily takes over the functions of the heart and lungs.
Unfortunately, the life-saving measures proved unsuccessful, with the family saying that the damage was "too severe, and they were unable to save his life."
Officials have not yet publicly confirmed Sorrell's cause of death. However, his family said doctors believe an underlying genetic condition may have contributed to the sudden cardiac arrest.
Sorrell leaves behind four siblings, including his twin brother, who are now set to undergo testing for the condition.
"Making this even more heartbreaking, Caden leaves behind a twin brother, as well as three additional siblings who are now facing grief no family should ever have to endure," the family shared.
The Sorrell family has since created a GoFundMe to help with the "avalanche of unexpected expenses" following Caden's death. The fundraiser has already raised more than $30,000 toward its $50,000 goal.
