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“Every
week in the UK, 12 apparently fit and healthy young people – that is,
aged 35 and under – die suddenly from a previously undiagnosed heart
condition.
The
tragic death of Stephen Gately, aged just 33, is yet another reminder of
the cruel and indiscriminate nature of this syndrome. Our thoughts go
out to his family and friends as we understand only too well (from our
daily experiences with families who have lost a son, daughter, sibling
or partner) the truly devastating impact of sudden cardiac death.
We
believe over 600 young people are struck down in the prime of their
lives each year – but with many of these deaths being incorrectly
registered, this figure could just be the tip of the iceberg.
Many
young victims are affected whilst playing sport – where the added
exertion of taking part in physical activity is enough to exacerbate a
pre-existing and often hidden cardiac condition. Others simply go to
sleep and never wake up.
Whatever
the circumstances, the effect on families is immense – compounded by the
fact that so many of these cases could have been prevented if detected
early by a simple test.
At CRY,
we know that screening saves lives. That’s why, next week (Oct 21) we
are announcing the launch of a new initiative to test the hearts of all
14 year olds across the South East of England at no cost – paving the
way for a national screening programme in the future.
No young
person deserves to die needlessly, without warning and from no apparent
cause. We’re determined to make sure that with greater knowledge and
wider access to screening, these tragic deaths are no longer making the
headlines.”
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