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This is an important new
development for the UK - being the first dedicated Centre of Sports
Cardiology in the world.
Accurate statistics are not available but
experts believe that 8 apparently fit and healthy young
people die each week as a result of Sudden Cardiac Death - undetected
cardiac abnormalities - many of them during or immediately after physical
activity. Any athlete who has an undetected cardiac abnormality is
inevitably particularly at risk.
 "CRY is a dynamic charity excitingly
poised on the threshold of a unique opportunity to make a significant
contribution to Sports Cardiology and save young lives. We can and
must stop these tragedies."
Ian Botham, Honorary President of
the CRY Centre of Sports Cardiology and Patron of the charity Cardiac
Risk in the Young.
 "We
have many excellent facilities and staff in the sports medicine
field. This centre will enhance those resources
significantly. The work of Cardiac Risk in the Young will save
many young lives and that in itself is wonderful news."
Rt Honourable Richard Caborn,
Minister for Sport
"CRY's launch of the Centre of Sports Cardiology is a major step
forward in our screening programme. As a non-profit organisation
dedicated to saving young lives we view this as an enormous and
significant opportunity in the development of Sports Cardiology in the
UK."
Professor Greg Whyte,
Chairman of CRY, Director of Science and Research at the English
Institute of Sport (EIS)
The Centre will deal with athletes of all
standards and ages. If you are an elite athlete (represent your country in sport) we
also recommend that you should consider screening.
For further information about the
innovative companies,
providing intelligent systems for diagnostic, monitoring, and screening whom all
support the work of CRY please see the Medical
Technologies page
We recommend that screening is requested via your GP if there have
been any young sudden deaths in the family. Or if there are symptoms of:
- Chest Pain (exercise
related)
- Breathlessness
- Palpitations
- Dizziness
- Fainting/Blackouts
Please contact the CRY office for further
information on cardiac screening.
Launch
On
April 15th 2002, CRY held a Parliamentary Reception at The House of Commons to launch
their Centre for Sports Cardiology at the British Olympic Medical Centre at
Northwick Park Harrow. This is an
important new development for the UK – being the first dedicated Centre of
Sports Cardiology in the world. The reception was extremely well attended by leading figures
in the UK in politics, sport and cardiac medicine.
The informal reception had cross-party support
and there were a few short speeches, including those from Ms Yvette Cooper
(then Minister for Health) and Dr Liam Fox (Shadow Minister of
Health). Available at the reception was CRY’s new booklet - Contribution to
Research. This 100 page booklet is
the first time we have compiled the published articles, articles “in press”,
abstracts and conference proceedings to which CRY has contributed.
 Public
Health Minister Yvette Cooper spoke at the reception and said: "We are keen
to support the CRY programme and I am
delighted to report that Section 64 funding has been granted to CRY of £100,000
over the next three years for it's bereavement counselling. This is a very
important
initiative for CRY. The support
which families give each other is crucial at this difficult time.
I am pleased to see so many interested people here who want to know about
this work.”
Shadow Secretary of State for
Health, Dr Liam Fox, said: “I believe
this (Centre) is the first of its kind, and needed. I'm delighted to be
associated with such a worthy initiative - the area of sudden cardiac death
resonates personally with me. I'm
very pleased to see so many people here, and it should be viewed as a testament
to Alison and all those who work and are part of CRY that the vision of such
a Centre has been fulfilled." 
Dr Fox accepted a CNett 2000 24
hour Ambulatory ECG Monitor on behalf of CRY
donated by Cardionetics to the Centre of Sports Cardiology.
The Right Honorable Richard
Caborn, Minister for Sport said: “We have many excellent facilities
and staff in the sports medicine field. This
centre will enhance those resources significantly.
The work of CRY will save many young lives and that in itself is
wonderful news.”
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