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This is
the world’s first specialist, multi-disciplinary centre
dedicated to young sudden cardiac death and will operate under the
direction of Professor Sanjay Sharma - Professor of Inherited
Cardiovascular Conditions and Sports Cardiology at St George's Hospital.
One of the first uses of the Centre will be
to accommodate the '1995' screening initiative -
made possible thanks to a charitable grant from ICAP, the interdealer broker.
This screening initiative - to offer screening to every 14-year-old born
in 1995 (the year that CRY was founded) across the South East - is
supported by teenager, James Bailey (below), who last year (aged
just 17) was diagnosed with the potentially fatal heart condition,
Wolff-Parkinson White (WPW) syndrome during a CRY screening session held
at his school. A seemingly healthy and active young man, with a
passion for football, James’ heart was a ticking timebomb and he could
have literally ‘dropped dead’ without warning. |
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But, thanks to screening, his condition was successfully treated
- he is now studying for his exams and enjoying life as a normal 18 year
old (as well as raising funds for CRY).
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Families already
affected by sudden cardiac death will also have access to this
unique clinic, dedicated to inherited cardiovascular disease and
sports cardiology.
The “general
population” will be able to access nationwide screening services
through the rapidly developing mobile screening programme
co-ordinated from this Centre. Elite athletes will attend the
world renowned CRY Centre for Sports Cardiology.
Alison Cox MBE,
says; “The launch of this Centre is a huge milestone for CRY
and takes us another step closer to realising our dream of being
able to offer heart testing to all young people in the UK. I
founded CRY, in 1995, 15 years ago, so it feels ‘right’ to be
offering those young people who were born in that same year the
opportunity to be screened by some of the world’s leading
experts and to hopefully to be able to reassure them that they
are in good health." |
Professor Sharma, adds; “80% of young
people have no signs or symptoms and so the only way to
detect a potentially sinister cardiac abnormality is by
having a simple screening test.”
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Experts at the
Centre will be able to support teenagers in the journey from
screening through to possible diagnosis and treatment and, where
necessary, counselling and support, working on the genetics of
hereditary cardiac defects and helping families understand their
‘heart history’.
There were a number of speakers at
the event, including Professor John Camm (Professor of Clinical
Cardiology at St George's Hospital - pictured right);
Professor Sanjay Sharma; CRY supporter James Brown; and CRY
Chief Executive, Alison Cox MBE.
The launch was attended by
guests from the medical professions, along with many CRY supporters.
There was also strong support from
CRY's Patrons with Jeremy Bates, Nick
Easter, Simon Halliday, Pat Jennings and Matt Wells all in
attendance |
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More photos from the launch...... |
