CARDIAC RISK IN THE YOUNG (CRY) LEADS THE WAY IN CONGRATULATING ITS CONSULTANT CARDIOLOGIST FOR MAJOR NOMINATION
Leading cardiologist, Professor Sanjay Sharma has been shortlisted in the Medical category at the inaugural Asian Professional Awards.
Over 4,000 nominations and votes were received this year paying tribute to inspirational individuals from the Asian community that contribute in every conceivable sector of national life.
Professor Sharma joined St George’s University of London in 2010 as Professor of Cardiology and is currently Lead of the Inherited Cardiomyopathies and Sports Cardiology Unit.
He is, Consultant Cardiologist for the leading charity, Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY), Medical Director for Virgin London Marathon, Cardiologist for the English Institute of Sport, British Rugby League and the British Lawn Tennis Association – as well as playing a major role in the medical team for the 2012 London Olympics.
The Emirates Stadium, London will play host to the prestigious black-tie event on 27th November 2014, where final winners will be announced, as well as honouring the outstanding achievements of Asian professionals nationwide.
Alison Cox MBE, Chief Executive and Founder of CRY says; “We have had the privilege of working alongside Sanjay for nearly 20 years – almost as long as CRY’s “history” – and we have always been immensely proud of his achievements in the world of cardiology and sports medicine.
“Without Sanjay’s specialist help and advice, leadership, ongoing commitment and above all, the donation of his time to CRY, I do not believe that our pioneering cardiac screening programme would be where it is today. Thanks to Sanjay’s work and dedication, we are now able to offer a hugely subsidised screening programme, which now tests around 15,000 young people every year. We have a team of amazing Research Fellows at St George’s Hospital, under Sanjay’s expert supervision and, due to this, we are making great progress in our understanding of the causes of young sudden cardiac death, exploring differences between different ethnic backgrounds as well as elite athletes and the general population.”
She concludes; “CRY owes so much to Sanjay and we are delighted to learn of this latest accolade from the Asian Professional Awards.”
Other comments from leading politicians and decision makers include:
Rt Hon David Cameron MP, Prime Minister and Leader of the Conservatives said, “These new awards recognise just some of the many thousands of Asian professionals who are excelling in Britain today. Whether it’s in the court room, the newsroom or the classroom, Asian men and women are not only providing expert services, skills and capabilities; they are delivering for Britain too.”
Rt Hon Nick Clegg MP, Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of the Liberal Democrats said, “For many years, Britain’s professional sectors have seemed closed off to people from certain backgrounds. Finally, that is changing. It’s talented people like you that are helping to make that happen.”
Rt Hon Ed Miliband MP, Leader of the Labour Party said, “An evening where the focus is solely on celebrating the success of British Asian is an example to the younger generation of Asian men and women in this country, who sometimes lack role models. The younger generation will look at the success of the nominees and winners, and I hope that they will be able to seek inspiration.”
Boris Johnson, Mayor of London said, “I am delighted that London is hosting the inaugural Asian Professional Awards. For centuries, our vibrant and diverse Asian community has been a vital part of what makes our city so great, contributing to its economic prosperity across a wide variety of sectors and helping to make it the success that it is today.”
ENDS
For more information or to arrange an interview with Professor Sharma, please call Jo Hudson in the CRY Press Office on 020 7112 4905 / 0770 948 7959 / [email protected]
Notes to editors:
CRY’s screening programme is overseen by Professor Sanjay Sharma (Professor of Inherited Cardiovascular Disease and Sports Cardiology at St George’s Hospital London and Medical Director of the Virgin London Marathon). Prof Sharma makes no charge for supervising the CRY screening programme, so with his support CRY is able to subsidise the programme so that each appointment only costs £35. Privately these tests could cost in excess of £200.
CRY was founded in May 1995 to raise awareness of Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndrome (SADS). In addition to bereavement support, CRY also funds specialist research projects as well as providing a nationwide, subsidised screening programme for young, people (35 & under).
CRY works closely with a number of MPs to try and improve awareness of sudden cardiac death in young people. This has resulted in the creation of the CRY All Party Parliamentary Group (currently 108 members).
Sudden death syndrome strikes down hundreds of young people – many of whom were involved in sport – at the prime of their lives. Sport does not cause this problem – but it can exacerbate an existing undiagnosed condition. In 80% of all cases there are no prior signs or symptoms.
Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD) is an umbrella term for a number of different heart conditions that affect fit and healthy people which, if not treated can result in a dramatic and or / spontaneous death. In about one in 20 cases of sudden cardiac death, no recognised cause can be found – even after post-mortem. Many experts are now claiming that the actual number of deaths recorded could just be ‘the tip of the iceberg’ with many causes being wrongly recorded as asthma, epilepsy or even drowning.
