A loving dad is calling for all children to be given life-saving health checks after losing his 17-year-old daughter to a rare heart disorder.
Kasia Ber died suddenly when a mobile phone alarm triggered an irregular heart rhythm, caused by the congenital condition Long QT Syndrome, in December 2005.
Her devastated father John now wants electro cardiograph (ECG) screenings for all young people to stop other families going through the trauma of losing their loved ones.
Well-wishers, including a large group of Kasia’s friends, have rallied to raise more than £7,000 for CRY – Cardiac Risk in the Young – and the Kasia Ber Memorial fund.
Fundraisers plan to boost the total further when they take part in this year’s Boxing Day dip at Seaton Carew.
John, who lives in Brier Avenue, Horden, with his wife Diane and 16-year-old son, Christopher said: “We want every young person to be screened. It’s a simple, painless procedure, and if it saves just one person then it’s worth it.
“Kasia’s heart condition was triggered by a mobile phone alarm which sent her heart into abnormal rhythm.
“Losing her has been hard. We’ve been at rock bottom but we have to stay strong for our son, Christopher.
“We don’t want anybody to go through what we’re still going through, that’s why it’s so important to carry on the research and raise awareness.
“Everybody in Norden has pulled together to raise money. It’s been fantastic.”
Kasia had accepted a place at university to study law when tragedy struck.
She was a former student of the Debbie Barrett Academy of Performing Arts and taught younger children to dance.
“Kasia was fun-loving, outgoing and super-fit. The world was her oyster,” said John.
“Around eight young people a week die of heart defects but the figures could be higher because a lot go undetected.”
Once heart problems are detected, the individual can be prescribed medication or treatment such as beta blockers to keep their condition under control.
Diane and two other family members have also been diagnosed with Long QT Syndrome following an ECG check. They are now receiving treatment.
Around 20 friends of Kasia’s will brave the freezing waters at Seaton Carew for the second year running when they take part in the Boxing Day drip to raise funds.
Organiser Beth Moore, 21, said: “When Kasia died it brought a lot of her friends close together. We wanted to so something where we were all involved and we’re hoping to raise as much money as possible for CRY.”
