Son Aaron remembered in launch of CRY campaign

A courageous local father is backing a pioneering charity campaign by Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) to highlight the risks of undiagnosed heart conditions. 

Aaron Lundy’s father, well known Coleraine businessman John Lundy, and Cormac McAnallen’s mother were key note speakers at the launch, which was held at Stormont on Sunday. 

Promising Portstewart golfer Aaron, who passed away at the age of 19 and Gaelic footballer, Cormac McAnallen (24) who died suddenly last year feature on the charity’s postcard. 

The poster-sized version of a thought provoking new postcard highlights the fact that every week four to eight apparently fit and healthy young people die of undiagnosed heart conditions in the UK. 

John Lundy explained the idea behind the launch: “We will be giving the postcards out to people throughout Northern Ireland.  It is hoped that people will then forward these to their MPs.  We hope that MPs will add their support to CRY’s campaign, and get the very important message about the charity out.” 

CRY was founded in May 1995 to raise awareness of cardiac risk in the young.   The charity offers support to those who have suffered a loss.  They also promote heart screening and ECG testing to help prevent the fatal condition developing. 

Alison Cox, Found and Chief Executive of CRY, who spoke at the launch on Sunday, says: “By showing just some of the faces behind the stories we read and heart about all too often, we can help people begin to understand the heartbreak caused by this cruel killer.  We hope to highlight the fact that it can happen to anyone, at anytime, usually without warning.” 

Leaflets produced by the charity say that sporty youngsters stress their heart the most.  If the young person has an underlying cardiac abnormality they are most likely to be at risk. 

It states: “Sport itself does not lead to cardiac arrest, but it can act as a trigger for a young person to die suddenly by exacerbating an undetected condition.” 

The charity’s campaign is being backed by famous faces from the world of sport.  They include CRY President Ian Botham OBE, he said: “We want all kids to have heart tests just as they do annually in Italy.  We must stop these terrible tragedies.”