We have complied information on resources for our CRY families and supporters during the UK’s social distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These include support resources for those affected by a Young Sudden Cardiac Death of someone aged 35 or under, support resources for young people who have been diagnosed with a potentially life-threatening inherited or congenital cardiac condition, and ideas for raising awareness for all ages.
Our staff are continuing to work but are doing so remotely from home. This will not have any impact on our ability to communicate, as staff will still be answering phone calls to the CRY number and responding to emails as normal. Please do not hesitate to contact us if there is anything which we may be able to help with.
CRY has Facebook groups where people (aged 18 and over) can connect and share experiences with other people who have been affected by a young sudden cardiac death.
We have groups which are specifically for bereaved mums, bereaved dads, bereaved siblings and bereaved partners, and we also have a ‘Family and Friends’ group which can be joined by anyone who has lost a young person to a sudden cardiac death.
So many people who contact CRY want to talk to others who have experienced a similar loss. The groups are private communities for people who are in touch with CRY to connect, share their feelings and experiences with others who have experienced the loss of a young person, and be part a network of support for one another. A place where we hope you will feel safe in the knowledge that you are not alone in how you feel.
CRY has developed a series of booklets which contain personal stories from bereaved mums, dads, siblings, partners and friends. The series focuses on the grief specific to the relationship an individual has with the deceased. CRY has also developed two additional booklets for the series, one focusing on the Christmas period and the other on anniversaries following a young sudden cardiac death. All the booklets are free to read online.
#CRY4Friends is a campaign to highlight the grief felt by young people when they experience the death of a friend.
CRY hopes this initiative encourages young people to share their memories and to talk openly about their feelings.
Every memory shared on Twitter and Instagram including #CRY4Friends will appear on www.cry4friends.org.uk
CRY’s myheart network provides personalised help, support, and information to individuals who have been diagnosed with a potentially life-threatening inherited or congenital cardiac condition. myheart is a support system for individuals to help develop effective coping strategies and reduce social isolation.
myheart has a library of support resources which are free to read and request.
The booklet includes 10 personal ‘essays’ from young men and women who recount and talk through their own experience of suddenly being diagnosed with a heart condition.
A newsletter is produced at the beginning of each year and is a round-up of the previous year’s events. Including new my stories published in each issue, along with new events for members in the coming year.
The website is accessible to all however the members’ area is exclusively reserved for myheart members who are between the ages of 16* and 35 and living with a life-threatening cardiac condition. This area includes an activity area where the members can safely share their thoughts, feelings and experiences. Members can also ask questions of each other. *Parental consent is needed for 16 year olds.
Members’ blogs
There is also the facility in the members’ area for members to create their own blog posts. This is a great way for members to talk about any tests or treatments they have had. Some examples of experiences shared by members include living with a cardiac condition, how they felt when they found out or when they had to give up sports.
As well as videos sent in by members to help others – sharing their experiences of being diagnosed or undergoing certain tests and procedures – the myheart YouTube channel features a number of frequently asked questions which have been sent in by members and answered by myheart cardiologist Dr Michael Papadakis.
This is one of our free online open access resources to help those young people who are having to face these new life-changing challenges.
myheart has a Facebook group where memebrs (aged 18 and over) can connect and share experieneces with other people who have been diagnosed with a cardiac condition. The group is provate and can only be joined by invitation from CRY/myheart. The discussions within the group can only be seen by group memebers.
o join the myheart network and find out more about the private area of the Facebook group please visit www.myheart.org.uk/join-myheart.
Raising awareness of CRY and its objectives can be as easy as a click of a button or downloading and printing posters to display in your windows. Liking or sharing a post on our social media pages and sharing our Youtube videos is such a vital way to help raise awareness and save young lives.
We have also pre-made messages and videos that you can download and copy to post on your own social media to help raise awareness.
CRY has a large library of videos on our website and YouTube channel. We have videos on all aspects of our work, covering our screening programme and explaining how different tests, such as ECGs and echos, are completed; our new research and presentations filmed at conferences; our main fundraising events and other key occasions, such as CRY’s Parliamentary Receptions; and our support services. Our support programme is still running at this time, so if you would like any information or would like to talk to someone, please do get in touch by emailing [email protected] or by phoning 01737 363222.
CRY would like to offer some ideas and support while the kids are home from school with arts and crafts, activities, and the jam-packed Family Pack from the 2.6 Challenge
Design a CRY bookmark
Take inspiration from CRY colours, our logo, or even our key messages and design your own bookmark. Get creative, and if you’re taking part in the 20 Pages for 20 Days Challenge, you can easily keep track of your progress with your new bookmark.
Treasure Hunt
Find 20 items for CRY from your home or garden and create your own treasure hunt. Here are a few ideas to get your started, but don’t be afraid to set your own hunt and be creative: 5 things that begin with the first letter of our name, 5 things that smell, 5 toys smaller than your hand and 5 things that make a noise
Print & Colour the CRY Logos
Find a copy of our logo you can download and print here – get your art supplies out and spend some time colouring and decorating your very own CRY logo. If you don’ t have a printer, download the logo and try your hand at some digital colouring.
Draw a CRY logo
Draw our CRY logo, colour it in, paint it, cover it with sequins, create a 3D sculpture with playdough… the possibilities are almost endless! Share your creations on social media and/or send in a photo and help us create a #Kids4CRY section on our website.
Activity Book
From the London Marathon organisers comes this wonderful activity ideas book for all the family. Take on something as a challenge to raise awareness and funds for CRY, or simply have fun with your loved ones and keep everyone entertained during this time at home.
#TwoPointSixChallenge
We would love to see all of the creations that are made, coloured in CRY logos, bookmarks etc, so please feel free to post them on social media using the hashtag #Kids4CRY so we can share them with CRY’s supporters via social media.
Preventing young sudden cardiac deaths through awareness, screening and research, and supporting affected families.
Head Office:
Unit 1140B, The Axis Centre,
Cleeve Road, Leatherhead,
Surrey KT22 7RD
Tel: 01737 363222
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Email: [email protected]
Registered Charity in England & Wales (1050845) & in Scotland (SC052581)
