Waukesha North Student Kai Lermer's Legacy Lives On

WAUKESHA,WI — A year after losing his son to an undiagnosed heart condition, a Waukesha father is striving to save other children.

"You can't imagine the loss of a child," Mike Lermer told Patch.

Kai Lermer was a triathlete at Waukesha North. He went through a standard physical every year before playing sports. Kai showed none of the signs of having cardiac disease.

He had just finished basketball season and was starting track, so he was in peak conditioning.

Kai was enjoying his first day of spring break in March 2019 and had been playing basketball when he went into cardiac arrest. He was rushed to the hospital but ultimately died April 3.

What his parents didn't know was Kai had a cardiac disease known as Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome that could have been discovered with an EKG — electrocardiogram — test.

"If we had only known about the importance of EKG testing," Lermer said.

Pushing forward

In honor of Kai, the Kai Lermer Memorial Fund was created in association with the Waukesha County Community Foundation to support the awareness, detection and prevention of heart disease in children, teenagers and young adults.

Kai's mom, Patty Lermer, is involved, and so is Paul Ybarra, Kai’s godfather.

To date, the fund has trained more than 200 people in CPR and placed 14 automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in the city of Waukesha.

The fund also memorializes Kai Lermer by funding the improvement of the Waukesha North athletics program and the Waukesha parks and recreation system, and offering scholarships.

On Wednesday, EKG testing was held for more than 200 Waukesha High School students.

"One of our goals was Kai's friends at least had the opportunity to be tested before they left for college," Lermer said.

Two months after Kai's death, a recent Waukesha North graduate who was in college died from an undetected heart condition in a college dorm.

"It happens more often than we would like," he said.

Mike Lermer is advocating for EKG testing during physicals, especially for teens and young adults.

While researching EKG testing, Kai's parents found people in Wisconsin lacking awareness of heart conditions in young adults.

Lermer said doctors do not conduct an EKG test without a parent specifically requesting it.

"We want parents to push their physicians to do an EKG test," he said. "It might not be covered under insurance, but do you really want to take that risk?"

Remembering #11

Kai Lermer is remembered as being a talented athlete and a bit of a class clown. His father received over 100 letters and videos from his son's friends.

"Many of his friends said when Kai thought they were down, he would try to make them laugh and smile," Lermer said.

In the locker room, it was Kai trying to hype up his team; but if they lost, he would always try to look on the bright side.

Kai made friends with everyone, not just athletes. He also mentored other students and helped coach the feeder basketball teams.

"He was one of those kids who got along with everyone," Lermer said.

Chimere Dike, a star athlete from Waukesha North and a current UW-Madison student, continues to honor his friend.

"Kai's number was 11. Chim is not playing this year — but when the number 11 becomes available, he is trying to get it," Lermer said.

Kai's family's focus is spreading awareness about EKG testing and making sure this doesn't happen to another family.

"Don't take the chance and let my story become your story," Lermer said. "Make sure there is a senior prom for your kids."

People can find out more about the Kai Lermer Memorial Fund by visiting the Facebook page. To learn more about EKG testing, visit Heart Smart and Parent Heart Watch.