A book promoting the work of a charity that helps people affected by sudden death syndrome was launched last week. The book, entitled 101 Reasons To Get Up In The Morning, has been compiled to raise funds for, and also awareness of, Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY). It contains inspirational quotes from a variety of well-known names, including Pope John Paul II, Tony Blair and even Bob the Builder.
Eddie Farrow, from Sheerwater, whose son Bradley suffers from a sudden death syndrome called Brugada Syndrome, is urging people to buy the book and support CRY.
CRY works to raise awareness of cardiac risk in young people, offering counselling to patients and their families as well as raising funds to screen for heart conditions.
Mrs Farrow, who counsels for the charity said: “All the proceeds of this book will go directly to CRY and this will help the charity to test people to see if they are suffering from a sudden death syndrome.
“Eight lives of people below the age of 35 are lost every week to such undetected conditions.
“It’s the awareness that we are most concerned about.
“People are dying of this because they don’t know they have got it and they are not aware of the symptoms.
“The symptoms often start in teenagers and include a constant dull headache and fainting.
“An awful lot of the time we hear that a GP tells a patient these symptoms are just to do with their hormones.”
Bradley’s Brugada, which makes his heart beat either exceptionally fast or slow, was only diagnosed after Mrs Farrow, a former nurse, insisted he should be tested.
Testing for sudden death syndrome requires an electro-cardiogram heart monitor and an examination of personal and family medical history, as many conditions are hereditary.
The book has been compiled by Julie Tanner, aged 12, who became involved with the charity when her babysitter suddenly died at the age of 17.
One of the contributions in the book if from footballing legend Gary Lineker who quotes inspirational speaker Dale Carnegie: “When fate hands you a lemon, try to make lemonade.”
The book, priced £7.99, is available on order from bookshops or direct from the publisher Canterbury Press on 01603 612914. Alternatively, visit www.canterburypress.co.uk
