Saving Lives One Heart Screening at a Time

Strategic Insights -

Paul Lane's son Anthony died suddenly from a heart condition at the age of 26, but his legacy lives on through his family's tireless efforts to raise awareness and save young lives. The event, organized by Rotary Wylde Green with the support of Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust and friends and family of Anthony, aimed to screen young people for cardiac abnormalities using a simple and effective electrocardiogram (ECG) test.

Key Takeaways:

  • The first screening event in 2024 tested 103 young people aged 14-35, three of whom were referred for further tests, potentially saving three lives.
  • Since the event, Rotary Club of Uttoxeter has committed to holding two CRY screening days next year using Anthony's name, with the goal of screening more young people and potentially saving more lives.
  • Anthony's family, with the support of the Wylde Green Rotary Club, has raised funds to enable the screening and future screenings, with the aim of saving lives and raising awareness about young sudden cardiac deaths.
  • CRY, which has been adopted as the Wylde Green Rotary Club Charity of the Year, works to prevent young sudden cardiac deaths through awareness, screening, and research.
  • Around 12 young people between the ages of 14 and 35 die suddenly from a previously undiagnosed heart condition every week in the UK, with 80% of these deaths occurring without any prior symptoms.

Statistics:

  • 103 young people were screened in the first event in 2024.
  • Three out of the 103 young people screened were referred for further tests.
  • Since 2024, Rotary Club of Uttoxeter has committed to holding two CRY screening days next year.
  • Every week, around 12 young people between the ages of 14 and 35 die suddenly from a previously undiagnosed heart condition in the UK.
  • 80% of young people who die suddenly from a previously undiagnosed heart condition in the UK do so without any prior symptoms.

Sources:

  • Wylde Green Rotary Club
  • Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust
  • Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY)
  • Rotary Club of Uttoxeter
  • Anthony Lane's family and friends
  • West Midlands Ambulance Service
  • The Air Ambulance