Last September, at the age of just 22, I suffered a sudden cardiac arrest on the pitch whilst playing a lacrosse game. My heart stopped for 4 minutes.When I arrived at hospital I was diagnosed with Brugada Syndrome, and was discharged 2 weeks later with an internal defibrillator having been fit in my chest.
This event got me thinking a lot. I was not only incredibly lucky to survive but to be able to live life pretty much as normal within a few months. By January I was already back to playing full contact sport and working full time, with little to no life accommodations. This got me looking into my condition where I found Cardiac Risk in the Young, learning that 12 apparently fit and healthy people under the age of 35 every week aren’t as lucky. 624 people every year, gone with absolutely no warning.
624 reasons why I’ve decided I want to do my part for this incredible charity. So I have decided I am going to hike from one end of New Zealand to the other in one go, which is approximately 3000km, in order to fund as many heart screening for young people as possible across the UK. If me walking 3000km across a country can raise enough money to screen one young person with a serious heart condition, diagnosing them and potentially even saving their life, it would be worth doing 1000 times over.
Because nobody should have to rely on luck
I created a website for the event: www.624reasonswhy.com, which covers a bit more about me, the cause, the hike, and a blog which I will regularly update with my progress. I intend to start this trek around mid-October.
If you would like to donate (www.justgiving.com/page/624reasonswhy) then every single penny goes towards funding another heart screening. The more money we raise, the more screenings, the more people can potentially be diagnosed. Otherwise check out my website and help me spread the word and raise awareness for this amazing charity!
