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Today, Cardiac
Risk in the Young (CRY), the UK’s number one charity for reducing young sudden
cardiac death, is pleased to announce that the Cardiac Risk in the Young All
Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) has gained its 100th member. This
milestone achievement represents unprecedented interest and places CRY’s
agenda in an elite list of influential lobby groups which includes the
All Party Parliamentary Climate Change Group and the Disability
Group APPG. The Cardiac Risk in the Young APPG’s 100th member is
the Rt Hon Don Touhig, MP for Islwyn and Chair, Kevan Jones, is delighted to
welcome him on board.
Don Touhig decided to join
the Cardiac Risk in the Young APPG due to the experience of one of his
constituents, Barry Rowland. Barry commented; “Until my wife Donna died in
December 2005 I was unaware of sudden cardiac death syndrome but contact with
the charity has made me eager to make others aware. I am pleased that my MP
Don Touhig has joined the committee in support of not only myself but all
those who have lost loved ones to sudden adult death”.
Mr. Touhig said: “I am delighted to join the Cardiac
Risk in the Young All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG). I know that CRY has
done a tremendous job in providing support to families as well as raising
awareness of Sudden Death Syndrome in the young."
Touhig continued: “I look forward to working with
other Parliamentary colleagues to continue this good work.”
The APPG for CRY spans the three major political
parties and is an influential force within parliament. March 2006 marked the 1st
anniversary of the introduction of Chapter 8: Arrhythmias and Sudden Cardiac
Death of the National Service Framework for Coronary Heart Disease. CRY
carried out a survey of the Primary Care Trusts (PCT’s) which highlighted how
few had managed to develop a strategy for implementing any of the new
Chapter’s specific guidelines for children and young people. The impact of
this survey has been maximized by the Cardiac Risk in the Young APPG which in
nine months has grown by nearly 15%.
Alison Cox, chief executive of CRY said: "This
landmark achievement is symbolic of the progress CRY has made since its
inception in May 1995. I am passionately committed to raising awareness of
Cardiac Risk in the Young and the Cardiac Risk in the Young APPG is a key
factor in the progress we have made."
CRY’s robust campaign to raise awareness of young
sudden cardiac death is proving effective – 65% of the general public are
aware that the condition is something which can affect people aged 35 and
under. Significantly, nearly 30% knew of a young person who had died from an
unexplained or sudden cardiac death. With the significant lobbying power of
the Cardiac Risk in the Young APPG these awareness statistics can only
improve.
CRY campaigns
to reduce the incidence and impact of young sudden cardiac death and supports
those diagnosed. Every week, at least 8 apparently fit and healthy young
people die in the UK from undiagnosed heart conditions. Expert evaluation by a
cardiac specialist is vital if these unnecessary deaths are to be reduced. As
Cox illustrates: “It is this level of expertise which should be accessible to
all and is crucial if specific cardiac problems are to be properly identified
and young lives are to be saved.”
ENDS
For further
information, please contact Alice Perry or Jo Sheperd at redheadPR on Tel:
0870 240 5536 or email
alice@redheadpr.co.uk or
jo@redheadpr.co.uk
Notes to editors:
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CRY is a charity founded
in May 1995 to raise awareness of Cardiac Risk in the Young - Sudden Cardiac
Death,
Sudden Death Syndrome
(SADS)
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CRY offers support to
those who have suffered a loss through a network of affected families &
counselling
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CRY promotes heart
screening, ECG Testing Programmes
& contributes to medical research
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CRY donates medical
equipment to doctors' surgeries and hospitals.
To date CRY has donated
over Ł600,000 of cardiac equipment for use in GP surgeries, Cardiac Wards
and A&E Departments
-
CRY funds the CRY Centre
for Sports Cardiology at the Olympic Medical Institute
The research
was conducted by Access Omnibus Surveys and Westcombe Business Research
Limited. For further information, contact redheadPR at the above addresses
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