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FAMILIES FROM ACROSS THE SOUTH WEST
MEET IN TAUNTON TO UNVEIL NEW POSTCARD
TO
HIGHLIGHT TRAGIC HEART CONDITIONS
South West Launch - 20th April 2012
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Families from across the South West
region (from Cornwall to Bristol) came together in Taunton to
help launch a major regional campaign to highlight the shocking
statistic that 12 young, apparently fit and healthy people (aged
35 and under) are tragically dying suddenly every week in the UK
from previously undiagnosed heart conditions. |
Other regional
launches of the
CRY '12 a week'
postcard |
A poster-sized version of an emotive new
postcard - featuring the photos of 12 young people from across the
region who lost their lives to sudden cardiac death – was unveiled by
CRY at a ceremony held at The Holiday Inn in Taunton on Friday April
20th 2012.
The work of CRY has generated much interest
recently in the wake of the sudden collapse of Bolton midfielder,
Fabrice Muamba. The shocking events on the pitch at White Hart Lane on
March 17th have led to even greater calls for cardiac screening in young
people (especially those involved in sport) – something that CRY has
been campaigning for since its launch in 1995.
More than 100,000 postcards have been
distributed by CRY families across the UK in a bid to raise awareness
and lobby support amongst MPs.
The families have all become involved with
the charity following the death of a child or partner suddenly and
unexpectedly from sudden cardiac death.
Chief Executive and Founder of the charity,
Alison Cox MBE, says; “Our powerful postcard campaign is helping us
to emphasise the importance of screening and the fact that so many of
these tragic cases affecting fit and healthy young people could have
been prevented. 80% of the young people who die from these tragedies
have had no symptoms and it is only through screening that the condition
can be identified.”
“These 12 faces are just a “snap-shot” of
the problem and we need to keep up the pressure and engage support from
as many MPs as possible to ensure we are doing everything we can to
prevent other families from experiencing similar tragedies.”
Hundreds of postcards will be distributed by
CRY families and supporters to people across the South West, urging them
to send it back to their local MP. It is hoped the influx of postcards
will encourage MPs to add their support to the campaign and join the
Cardiac Risk in the Young All Party Parliamentary Group.
Alison adds; “We already have huge
support from MPs – many of whom have been deeply moved by a death of a
young person in their constituency and have pledged to support us in our
ongoing work and awareness raising activity. We’re confident that this
latest campaign will help us to target those MPs who are not yet aware
of our commitment to preventing further needless deaths across their
region, as well as spreading our important educational messages to
parents and young people living across this region. I’m extremely
grateful to all the families involved for agreeing to lend their support
to this latest campaign in the South West.”
For more
information or to arrange an interview with a family or a local
MP who is currently a member of the CRY All Party Parliamentary Group
please call: THE CRY PRESS OFFICE: JO HUDSON OR
HEATHER CHURCHOUSE ON 020 8786 3860 / 0770 948 7959:
jo.hudson@trinitypr.co.uk
Other regional launches of the CRY '12 a week' postcard
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