The charity supports the families of victims of YSCD, facilitates the heart screening of young people through cardiac testing programmes and contributes to medical research.
Objectives
Raising awareness of young sudden cardiac death amongst the general public and within the medical community
Providing appropriate support to affected families, including expert cardiac pathology
Increasing early diagnosis through cardiac screening for young people
Improving the management of young people identified with cardiac conditions
Furthering research into young sudden cardiac death
The CRY General Election Manifesto 2015 states: “Through awareness, support and screening many deaths can be prevented, and research into these conditions will be the key to providing the knowledge crucial to saving these young lives.”[1]
Activities
CRY offers support to those who have suffered tragedies through a network of trained volunteer bereavement supporters,[2] counselling groups and medical information.[3] The charity also offers support and regular meetings to young people diagnosed with a cardiac condition through their myheart Network.[4]
CRY holds regular subsidised ECG screening clinics for those aged 14 to 35 across the UK,[5] with the majority of events funded by bereaved families and free to the public.
The charity funds an expert centre for fast-track cardiac pathology in the UK, the CRY Centre for Cardiac Pathology[6] (CRY CCP) at St George's Hospital, London. The centre is directed by Professor Mary Sheppard. Pathology is free of charge when the cause of death is unascertained and the deceased was aged 35 or under. CRY also funds the CRY Centre for Inherited Cardiovascular Disease and Sports Cardiology at St George’s Hospital. Professor Sanjay Sharma, medical director of the London Marathon, is CRY’s consultant cardiologist and leads their research programme.[7]
On 15 July 2004 CRY launched its National Postcard Campaign[8] to highlight the deaths of eight young people per week from undiagnosed heart problems by featuring their pictures. The campaign was launched at a Parliamentary Reception in Westminster. From August 2004 the Postcard has been re-launched as region specific including South West, North East, South, North West, Scotland and Wales versions.
In February 2009 the postcard campaign was updated to "12 a week"[9] and continues to draw attention the number of young people with undetected heart conditions.
Patrons
Sir Ian Botham OBE – former England cricketer, honorary president of CRY
Rob Andrew MBE – former England rugby union international, RFU director of elite rugby
John Barrowman MBE – actor, singer, dancer, musical theatre performer, writer and television personality
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