MP joins battle to thwart killer

Bay MP Roger Gale has attended the national launch of a hard-hitting and thought-provoking new campaign highlighting a tragic condition known as Sudden Cardiac Death in the young. 

The charity, Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) invited MP’s from all parties to view a poster-sized version of a new postcard - featuring the photos of eight young people under 35 who lost their lives suddenly to previously undetected heart conditions. 

All eight victims pictured had no apparent symptoms or history of bad health.  Yet is it widely acknowledged that many of the hundreds of sudden deaths which occur every year in the UK could be prevented if simple cardiac screening was made more accessible. 

Chief Executive and founder of the charity Alison Cox said: “The launch marked a real milestone in our campaign to raise awareness of sudden death in young people.   By showing just some of the faces behind the stories we read and hear about all too often, we can help people begin to understand the heartbreak caused by this cruel killer and highlight the fact that it can happen to anyone, at any time – usually without warning.” 

She added: “These eight faces – representing the eight lives lost a week in the UK – show just a snapshot of the problem.  We need to keep up the pressure and engage support from as many MP’s as possible to make sure we can prevent other families from experiencing such tragic losses.” 

Speaking at the launch at the House of Commons, Mr Gale said: “I have a godson who was a superb sportsman. He was diagnosed as having a cardiac condition and had to give up his sport overnight. “ 

“The effect was devastating, but without the diagnosis achieved by screening he would almost certainly now be dead. 

“I am therefore very pleased to have this opportunity to show my support for CRY’s ongoing campaign and I applaud the charity for tackling the issue of sudden death in the young in such a brave and emotive way.  It should certainly make the public – and all MP’s - take notice of their important work and pledge their support to their campaign.” 

The giant postcard was unveiled at the House of Commons by veteran tennis star Mark Cox who is a patron of the charity.  The campaign is backed by a team of sportsmen and women including CRY president Ian Botham. 

A new card will be issued every month, portraying victims from 12 different regions across the UK.