Over 150 people
gathered at Royal Brompton last Friday evening (7
March 2008) for the opening of a new pathology
laboratory offering hope for those who have lost
loved ones to sudden cardiac death.
The unit, funded by the
charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY), is being
led by consultant histapathologist Dr Mary Sheppard.
It offers a fast-track pathology service which will
analyse the exact cause of unexpected cardiac death
in young people, providing families with answers
within weeks rather than the current months which
many have to wait.
It is estimated that
every week at least eight apparently fit and healthy
young people (aged 35 and under) die suddenly of
undiagnosed inherited cardiac conditions. Finding
the cause of these deaths not only helps families to
understand what happened to their relative but also
alerts the family that other members could be at
risk and allows for appropriate screening and
treatment.
Bereaved families,
healthcare professionals, and CRY and hospital
supporters were all at the launch event which
included speeches from Anthony Newman-Taylor, head
of NHLI; rugby coach and CRY patron Sir Clive
Woodward; Michael Burgess, HM coroner for Surrey and
coroner of the Queen’s household; and Alison Cox
MBE, chief executive of CRY.
Many speakers took the
opportunity to praise Mary Sheppard, her work, and
the hospital. In a statement, heart tsar Roger Boyle
said he: “admired the professionalism and dedication
of Mary Sheppard” while Alison Cox offered “a
special thank you to the Royal Brompton and to chief
executive Bob Bell for all his support”.
For more information on
the event, visit:
You can see more photos
from the evening at:
