A total of 99 young people aged between 14-35 were screened by Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) at the Binstead Community Centre, Ryde, Isle of Wight on Saturday 16Th November.
The free heart screenings were sponsored by The Gemma Quew Memorial Fund. Gemma was only 30 when she passed away in 2011 from an undiagnosed heart condition, leaving her husband Andrew and two year old daughter Caitlin. The event was organised by Andrew Quew and fellow CRY supporter Helen Barnes. Both Andrew and Helen have organised screenings on the Isle of Wight before – at Sandown Bay Academy (2014) and Ryde Academy (2017).
CRY statistics say that at least 12 young people die suddenly of previously undetected heart problems each week in the UK. These young people are often fit and active.
Our thanks to the CRY team, led by Screening Manager Ralph Knox, for their dedication and professionalism. We are very grateful to Kat Mitchell and the Binstead Community Centre for hosting the event and to Sally Trotman from the Isle of Wight Ambulance Training & Community Response Services who demonstrated CPR and use of a defibrillator. Special thanks also to the support with our fund raising activities from Clare Jones at Asda Newport who very kindly donated £300 towards the screening event.
We sincerely hope that all the young people found it was worthwhile to be screened for undiagnosed heart conditions and will spread the word about the work of CRY.
