counselling

Articles from national publications (1998 - 2008)

CRY aims to keep you in touch with media interest in healthcare awareness of Sudden Death Syndrome.  All articles have been sent in by the families concerned or by a press cuttings agency, and CRY has permission to reproduce the articles.

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Date

National  publication

Article title

11/11/08

BBC website

Sudden noises danger for sisters

When Chloe and Evie Church wake for school, they cannot use an alarm clock like other children.  The sisters, aged 11 and nine, have a syndrome that means a loud noise or a sudden shock could be dangerous or even fatal.

13/10/08

BBC Radio 4

Life After Tom

Charting Claire Prosser's first year without her teenage son, Tom, who died suddenly from an undiagnosed heart condition, and exploring the process of rebuilding after the unimaginable has happened.

13/10/08

Now

'She was my world.  We hugged, she kissed me...48 minutes later she was dead'

When James Brown, 32, kissed his wife Katrina, 30, that morning, he had no idea it would be their last goodbye.

02/10/08

Cycling Weekly

Get the knowledge

If you are interested in finding out more about sports nutrition and fitness testing to boost your winter training, Fit-For coaching may have just the thing for you. 

02/10/08

BBC website

Sudden Death Syndrome

Every single week, 15 young people from all walks of life die from the condition known as Sudden Death Syndrome. Now research done in the Midlands has found a new way of diagnosing people at risk so they can get treatment before tragedy strikes

01/10/08

BBC Television

Inside Out - BBC East Midlands (Video - 59MB)

This television programme looks at the issue of young sudden cardiac death in the UK.  CRY supporter Andrew Gadsby talks about the loss of his son Matt, and the programme also features contributions from CRY's Honorary President Sir Ian Botham and CRY Research Fellow Dr Carey Edwards.

29/09/08

British Medical Journal

Preparticipation screening for cardiovascular abnormalities in young competitive athletes

The cardiovascular benefits of regular physical exercise are well established. However, a small proportion of young (aged 35 years or under) athletes with unsuspected heart disease are at increased risk of exercise related sudden cardiac death. The majority of such deaths are attributable to cardiac anomalies, most of which can be identified during life.  more

27/09/08

Cycling Weekly

Cardiac Risk in the Young

In October 2005 John Ibbotson died suddenly at the age of 27.  The cause of his death was a heart abnormality that simply caused it to stop beating. 

14/08/08

The Glasgow Herald

Racing to stop a silent killer

A screening programme has been set up in a bid to prevent fatal heart attacks in young athletes. 

09/08/08

The Daily Express

Family live with the fear of death at any moment

Four members of the same family are ticking time bombs.  Rob Griffiths, 44, and three of his children - Rhys, 20, Rhiann, five, and Nelly, two - all suffer from Long QT Syndrome, which can cause the heart to stop suddenly. 

08/08/08

The Sun

My tots defy death

Dad Rob Griffiths hugs his little girls - who like him have a genetic condition that can spell sudden death. 

16/07/08

Evening Standard

March for heart victims

Hundreds of people will march along the banks of the Thames this weekend in memory of children and teenagers who have died from undiagnosed heart conditions. 

03/07/08

BBC News website

Sporting 'heart screening' call

Screening sportsmen for signs of hidden heart conditions could save lives, a study has concluded.  Each year in the UK, hundreds of apparently fit people suffer 'sudden cardiac death'.

31/05/08

The Sun

Son's sad legacy (dad has same rare disease that killed his lad)

A dad whose talented footballer son died from a rare disease has been told he has the same condition.  Roger Maddams, 47, could have a heart attack at any moment due to Sudden Unexpected Death Syndrome - which killed son Jack, 17, in his sleep. 

24/05/08

BBC website

(Video Nation)

Cardiac Risk (Video)

Mark Fox threw himself into health charity work after his twin sister died suddenly of a heart condition when she was 13 years old. He's made a film about the affect it's all had on him.

Irish Football Association website

Evans backs cardiac screening of young players

The Northern Ireland U19 girls and U17 boys have had ECGs (electrocardiograms) carried out by the CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young) Screening Service at the University of Ulster, Jordanstown. Northern Ireland international, Jonny Evans has praised the Association’s Child Welfare Department for initiating the testing of the young players.

April 2008

The Bulletin of the Royal College of Pathologists

Sudden cardiac death in the young and helping bereaved families

Dr Mary Sheppard has been working as a specialist cardiac pathologist for the past 12 years at the Royal Brompton Hospital.  Many people think cardiac pathology is boring.  However, there is a personal and moving aspect to the job, which Dr Sheppard shares with us here. 

19/03/08

REM.fm (radio)

Interview with Dr Sanjay Sharma (Audio Clip)

Dr Sanjay Sharma talks to REM (Radio Europe Mediterranean) about young sudden cardiac death and his work with CRY.

13/03/08

TheFA.com

FA back CRY scheme

The FA, the PFA, the Football Foundation and charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY), recently launched a joint initiative which aims to raise awareness of sudden cardiac death in the young.

10/03/08

BBC News website

'My fight to find out why Adam died'

Adam Payne was just eight years old when he collapsed during a football match and died.  For months nobody was able to tell his family why it had happened, but doctors said they suspected epilepsy to be the cause of death.

10/03/08

BBC News website

Fast-track lab for sudden deaths

A new national fast-track laboratory is aiming to offer definitive explanations of sudden cardiac deaths in people under the age of 35 within a few weeks.

04/03/08

The Daily Mail

No one knew about Hannah's heart problem until it killed her.  Now a new test could save many other young lives

Seven-year-old Hannah Turberville had just enjoyed a fantastic skiing holiday in the French Alps. On the last night, after a family meal out, Katy, 39 heard a strange sound from the children's room and went to investigate.  

BBC Southern Counties Radio

Interviews with Alison Cox and Vanessa Tardif (Audio clips)

CRY Chief Executive Alison Cox and CRY Supporter Vanessa Tardif were interviewed about young sudden cardiac death on BBC Southern Counties radio (click on names for audio clips).

24/01/08

Cycling Weekly

Triumph over tragedy

In May last year we lost our son to an undiagnosed heart condition.  Charlie was an extremely healthy eight-year-old who collapsed whilst playing rounders at school. 

03/01/08

Cycling Weekly

Cardiac Screening

In October 2005, John Ibbotson died suddenly at the age of 27.  He was a talented all-rounder who turned pro at 20 and raced in Belgium and Italy before finding his true metier as a coach.  The cause of his death was a heart abnormality that simply caused it to stop beating. 

31/12/07

The Independent

Athletes warned to watch for heart symptoms after footballer's death

Young athletes have been warned not to ignore the symptoms of heart problems or head injuries after the death of Phil O'Donnell, one of Scotland's best-known professional footballers. 

One woman's mission of the heart

Alison Cox started Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) in 1995 and has expressed her sympathy for Mr O'Donnell's family, including his wife and four children.

21/12/07

The Daily Mirror

My heart's racing, Mum....the next morning he was dead

Sue Williams, 51, wasn't too worried when, one night before Christmas, her super-fit 16-year-old said his heart was beating too fasts.  How could she know he would never wake up?

01/12/07

The Sun

My Tom's death at just 14 was like tsunami of the soul

Today should have been my son's 15th birthday.  Instead I am writing about life after Tom.  Tom died in his sleep in October this year of an undiagnosed, heart-related condition. 

Facing life after losing your son

Today should have been my son's 15th birthday. Instead I am writing about life after Tom.  Tom died in his sleep in October this year of an undiagnosed heart-related condition.  He had been fit, active, healthy, doing well at school, bright and happy. We were not, in any way, prepared.

21/11/07

The Daily Mirror

I found my darling daughter dead on my birthday

Hilary Simpson was sure daughter Sarah was off work sick until she opened the bathroom door.  Hilary explains how her terrible discovering has left the family in shock. 

The Wright Stuff (Channel 5)

Young Widows

Channel 5 discussion show 'The Wright Stuff' featured the issue of young widows and asked: what’s it like to have the love of your life taken away when you’re still in your twenties or thirties? Is the experience different if you’ve had time to prepare for your partner’s death compared to it happening quite suddenly? Is it worse to lose your other half at a young age rather than when you’re both older? Do men and women cope differently?  CRY supporter James Brown appeared on the show to talk about the loss of his wife Katrina.

October 2007

Cosmopolitan

It was just an ordinary day.....

Laura Manni was looking forward to sharing her future with Greg, unaware of the heartache ahead. 

British Journal of Cardiac Nursing

Silent at Heart: using art to raise awareness

The 4th September marks the opening of an exhibition which aims to raise awareness of cardiac risk in the young.  It includes artwork from professional artists as well as a number of talented A-level students.

'She was my wife, my life......then she was gone'

Think back to the quick hug you and your loved one had this morning.  Now imagine it was your last.  That's the image James Brown, 31, plays over in his mind every day.

The London & UK Date Book

CRY Reception

Friends and supporters of CRY, along with numerous Members of Parliament, gathered at the House of Commons in the Terrace Marquee on 11th July for a reception. 

He was sent to a specialist and told: 'Hang up your boots or you could die' (Andy Scott)

Antonio Puerta was buried yesterday, in Seville, the city where he lived, loved and died while playing football.  As he was interred, the family of Clive Clarke was at Nottingham's Queens Medical Centre, giving thanks for escaping a similar tragedy. 

Great North Run

Members Update

Running for a Reason

'My name is Michele Wilson, I am 22 years old and I am running the BUPA Great North Run this year and raising money for the charity CRY. 

Daily Telegraph

Screen tests for rising stars will help to save young lives

Howard English was the first person of my age that I knew to die from a heart attack.  It's a long time ago now, but the images of bewilderment among everyone on the pitch and the frantic calling for an ambulance are still etched on our minds.  (John Inverdale writes)

Gone in a heartbeat

Bradley Farrow discovered he had Brugada syndrome when he apparently fainted while working at his weekend job in a security company at the age of 16. 

12/07/07

ITV London Today

David Walliams at the CRY Parliamentary Reception (Video Clip)

CRY Patron David Walliams supports the 2007 CRY Parliamentary Reception at Westminster.

Philips Advertorials

CRY is working alongside Philips to raise awareness of Sudden Adult Death Syndrome. 

Tragic inheritance

Nobody knew that chartered accountant Colin Blundell, 25, had a heart condition before he blacked out while climbing in Snowdonia last November, falling 30m (100 ft) and dying of head injuries. 

Heart of the matter

After losing his wife to a previously undetected heart problem, James Brown runs to raise awareness of this rare but high-profile killer of young people. 

Under the microscope

"Because we don't have direct patient access we are considered the backroom boys," says Dr Mary Sheppard, while sipping coffee in the royal Brompton Hospital cafe. 

I died seven times ..... and that was just the start of my problems

When Scott Fleming, 29, went to play football one Sunday, he was expecting a gentle run around the pitch.  Instead he died.  Scott, from Blackburn, West Lothian, tells his story.

Riddle of dead lad

Schoolboy Matthew Hughes kissed his mum goodnight - and was found dead in bed next morning from a mystery heart problem.

How could my super-fit husband just die?

After a whirlwind romance, Sarah Gadsby looked forward to her new life as a footballer's wife.  But she could never have imagined the heartache that would follow. 

Striking at the heart of the young

A year and a half before her death Nina Jelen had been taken to A&E at the Walton Centre in Liverpool, after suffering an unexplained seizure in her sleep. 

A commotion in the ocean

Heard the one about the comedian with no experience of open-water swimming taking on the English Channel, known throughout the world as the blue riband event for the sport? 

John and Diane Ber on ITV Tyne Tees News (Video Clip)

The parents of Kasia Ber reflect on the loss of their daughter, and talk of their determination to help CRY prevent more tragic deaths occurring.

A teenager was literally scared to death by the sudden ringing of her mobile telephone, an inquest was told yesterday.  It rang with an alarm call at 7am and Kasia Ber, 17, was so startled it triggered heart failure.  Unknown to anyone, she was suffering from a coronary condition in which attacks can be triggered by a sudden shock or an unexpected loud noise. 

Phone 'shocked' teenager to death

The parents of Kasia Ber are calling for more research into sudden death among young people as it is thought that a mobile phone ring may have sparked their daughter's death.

John and Diane Ber talk to ITV Tyne Tees News (Video Clip)

The parents of Kasia Ber talk about their loss, and CRY's campaign.  Dari Taylor MP criticises GPs who dismiss possible cardiac symptoms in young people as just stress.

Bill Shankly's words about football...........

In September, Hinckley United's Matt Gadsby collapsed unchallenged whilst playing against Harrogate Town in the Nationwide Conference North.  Despite paramedics trying to resuscitate him for over an hour, the 27-year-old didn't respond to treatment and died.  The defender's death shocked the sport and reminded everyone that football is just a game.  The incident also evoked memories of previous tragedies on the pitch.

The day my heart stopped

I tried to ask what was happening, but the words would not come out.  I had woken up in a hospital bed, with my face covered by an oxygen mask, with my brother and sister, both in tears, sitting next to my bed.  I began to panic.  Had I had an asthma attack? 

Born out of grief

At the age of just 30, my good-looking, funny husband - the man I'd met at university 10 years before and thought of as my soul mate - had just suddenly died.  I had no time to say goodbye or tell him how much I loved him. 

Call for heart checks on babies

All babies should have an ECG heart scan in their first month of life to check for life-threatening problems, say Italian cardiologists.  Steve Cox, deputy chief executive of Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) said: "This new study is a very encouraging step in our fight to prevent eight needless young deaths every week."

Killed by a clock

Yesterday Cheshire coroner Nicholas Rheinberg ruled Lisa died of heart failure due to the disorder.  Four relatives were later successfully treated for the illness.  

Shock of alarm clock ringing killed nurse

A paediatric nurse died from heart failure brought on by the shock of hearing her alarm clock ringing, an inquest was

A nurse died from heart failure when her alarm clock went off at 6am. Lisa Browne, 27, had a heart disorder and the shock caused it to stop.

Nurse was killed by shock of her ringing alarm clock

A nurse died from heart failure brought on by the shock of hearing her alarm clock ring, an inquest heard yesterday. Lisa Browne, 27, had an undiagnosed disorder which stopped her heart beating after the sudden shock of her 6am alarm call. Experts discovered last year that the paediatric nurse, who died in 1998, had the rare disorder Long QT Syndrome.

Costume drama

Fancy-dress runners in training are like baby pigeons: you know they exist but you never see them.  Then a big race such as the Flora London Marathon arrives and you find yourself lining up at the start next to Batman, a hotdog, Minnie Mouse and a giant banana. 

Callard's feat

Jon Callard proved the quickest of Simon Halliday's rugby clan who ran the Bath half-marathon last Sunday to raise more than £130,000 for CRY, the charity helping research into cardiac deaths among the young.

Penguin moved too fast for me

A huge amount of money was raised for CRY, a charity researching cardiac problems in young people, and to see the mammoth Paul Ackford storm home in under two hours was one of the athletic sights of the year.

Sad end to physical exertion

"We've run tests at Eton, Millfield and Worcester College bi-annually and we've picked up four of five problems that have been rectified, which is four of five lives saved, as far as I'm concerned." 

Halliday's heroes

The former Bath and England centre, who could yet emerge as a powerful figure in a new management structure for the national team, has put together an impressive list of former internationals to run the Bath half-marathon and raise money for Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY). 

Zaps from heart monitor save my life

Mike, 23, came within seconds of being one of the 70,000 victims of Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD) every year in Britain.  SCD happens when the heart's timing system goes wrong.  It is more common in older people but strikes all ages. 

King of the props Leonard is up for hare and tortoise race

CRY - Cardiac Risk in the Young - is an organisation close to many of the players' hearts, after a mutual friend, Howard English, died on the rugby field at the age of 32, and then amazingly his son, Sebastian, died 11 years later at the age of 15, from the same heart defect. 

We never thought of making a will

The grief came after his cremation.  I filled his side of the bed will pillows, but I couldn't sleep.  I'd clutch his jumper, which I refused to wash, and inhale his scent.  It seems such a waste.  We had all our plans and dreams before us.  We were going to grow old together, but now it's all gone.  Life's so empty.

Campaigners seek action to prevent sudden heart deaths among young

CRY research yesterday suggested that of 36 PCTs questioned only one had so far set up a strategy to deal with the problem.  The Department of Health stressed trusts had been given five years to complete the task and many were making progress but Mrs Cox said the deaths were too regular not to prioritise. 

Becky Feltham, 27, had found the man of her dreams - but one night he went to bed and never woke up.  Later, she discovered that he was a victim of the rare Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome.

Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) publishes the results of a new survey which indicates that one year on since the introduction of Chapter 8: Arrhythmias and Sudden Cardiac Death of the National Service Framework for Coronary Heart Disease, a staggering 97% of all Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) interviewed said they had failed to develop a strategy for implementing any of the new Chapter’s specific guidelines for children and young people.

By the time she reached the cardiac unit her heart had already stopped.  The surgeon woke all his operating team in the middle of the night to help him to fit the artificial heart, allowing Julie's real heart to recover. 

Halliday defies pain to raise charity cash

“I will be running the marathon in Sebastian’s name for Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY).  It’s a charity which provides specialist screening services and counselling for bereaved families."

I had only 20 minutes to live

In fact, I’ve achieved so much over the past few months.  I’ve got a new job; have moved into a flat with my friend Sam, and I’m involved in amateur dramatics.  I’ve even taken part in a couple of shows in the West End. 

Killed...by an alarm clock

Doreen Harley, 57, of Connah’s Quay, Flintshire, got in touch with CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young), a national support group for families of sudden-death victims of heart problems.  She was referred to a specialist cardiac screening unit in London. 

Deadly 'timebomb' killed my friend and then his son

However, in the 10^th anniversary year of the national heart charity – Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) – who work to raise awareness of the problem, I’m very proud to have been asked to join the likes of Steve Redgrave, Rob Andrew and Ian Botham in becoming a patron. 

Great Scott's gesture

Andy Scott will donate 20 per cent of the proceeds from the pre-season friendly to the Cardiac Risk in the Young charity (CRY).

Scott's relieved just to be alive

Scott will soon play in an Orient shirt for the final time as the club play two benefit matches to raise money for his family and also for the charity CRY, which aims to raise awareness of cardiac problems in the young.

I say all kids should have their hearts checked before they play sport

I don’t profess to know as much as the doctors but I do know these tragedies could be prevented – that’s where the frustration creeps in and that’s why I will keep beating the drum for CRY until people stand up and take notice. 

The grieving family who live in fear that even a phone's ring could bring instant death

Heartbroken Margaret Banks has been warned to throw away her alarm clock after her grandson was killed by the ringing of his mobile phone.  Ryan Hulme, 19, collapsed and died from shock when he got a call as he used his PlayStation at home. 

Sudden Death Syndrome

CRY supporter Rob Thorne appeared on 'This Morning' to talk about sudden death syndrome, the loss of his son, and the CRY postcard campaign.

Death by alarm clock

Lisa Jane Browne, 27, was found dead in bed after her alarm went off at 6am.  Doctors believe the shock of the loud bell sent Lisa’s heart into an abnormal rhythm as a result of rare hear disorder Long Q-T Syndrome.

'Why did he die?'

Fred Pearce's son Joe died suddenly at the age of 19.  Fred talks about his loss, and his efforts to find out what caused Joe's death.

'Grief like this can drive you insane'

When she arrived, Howard was still connected to the resuscitation equipment, but its use had been futile from the start.  He had died instantaneously on the field – a 32-year-old, super fit sportsman in his prime whose heart had inexplicably stopped. 

Doctors have told me if I kick another football I'll die

Andy Scott knows he should be dead – only a sixth sense prevented him from suffering a fatal heart attack on the pitch.  He has now been forced to quit football after doctors warned any physical exercise could kill him.

RFU support cardiac screening for young players

RFU Performance Director, Chris Spice said “The work undertaken by CRY is fantastic. We all want our young players to be in the best possible shape and the CRY awareness campaign is a very effective one."

Call to check athletes' hearts

European heart experts are calling for all young athletes to be screened for potentially fatal heart problems before they compete.

IOC adopt heart screening recommendations

Dr Greg Whyte (CRY Chairman and Director of Science and Research at the English Institute of Sport) welcomes the IOC Medical Commission's adoption of recommendations that athletes be screened for heart problems prior to competing.

Mother's call for heart screening

A woman from north Wales whose daughter died of a rare heart condition is helping to launch a campaign to raise awareness of sudden cardiac deaths.

Drive to cut young heart deaths

The issue of young people dying from undetected heart conditions is highlighted in a campaign to be launched in Wales on Friday.

The killer with no name

Now, researchers are calling for these unexplained deaths to be recognised and named as Sudden Adult Death Syndrome, or SADS, and officially recorded as such by governments and the World Health Organisation. 

Women who put thought into action

We have 12 members of staff, a two-storey office and I now know that Steve’s case was not one in a million.  In fact, eight apparently fit and healthy young people are dying every week from heart conditions they do not know they have. 

A deadly gene killed my wife - could my two year old son be next?

Since his birth two hears ago, I’ve been living in fear that I’ll lose him in the same tragic way that I lost his mum Chantel.  And I don’t know how I’ll cope if that happens.

Killer that claims four young lives each week

Caroline Gard has endured every parent’s worst fear.  In 1997, when her son Andy was just 17, he died suddenly and without warning, alone in his bedroom.  She now campaigns for cardiac screening to be available to all youngsters.

A new chapter

Dari Taylor MP welcomes the government’s decision to include recommendations from her Cardiac Risk in the Young private member’s bill kin the National Service Framework

CRY Chairman and Consultant nominated for Screening Bill working group

CRY Chairman Dr Greg Whyte and CRY's consultant Dr Sanjay Sharma are the first nominations for the working group (Sudden Death in the Young / Screening) to be chaired by Professor Bill McKenna, world expert on young sudden cardiac death.

It is hard to imagine how a teenager who is healthy and lively one day can suddenly drop dead the next for no apparent reason. Such is the tragedy of sudden cardiac death in the young. 

Save your child from sudden death

Schoolgirl Ruth Salisbury was watching a video with friends when she complained of feeling dizzy.  Seconds later she was dead – the victim of a little-known phenomenon called Sudden Death Syndrome. 

NHS 'must test for sudden death'

European heart experts are calling for all young athletes to be screened for potentially fatal heart problems before they compete.