Newsletter Issue 11 Spring 2014
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myheart Booklet Launch CRY’s new myheart booklet “Young, fit and suddenly diagnosed with a life threatening heart condition…” was launched at CRY’s annual Parliamentary Reception on Wednesday 27th November 2013. The mood of this year’s Parliamentary Reception was positive yet reflective and allowed attendees to celebrate the many hundreds of young people whose lives have been saved due to screening, early diagnosis, greater understanding and improved awareness. The event was held in the Terrace Marquee at the House of Commons and CRY Patron Andy Scott attended as Guest of Honour. It was also a great honour to welcome, for the first time, CRY Patron Sir Steve Redgrave - whose best friend and training partner, Robert Hayley, died beside him in his home, from a previously undiagnosed heart condition, aged 17.
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Former professional footballer (now football manager) Andy Scott, shared his own story about how his professional career came to an abrupt end when he was suddenly diagnosed - by CRY’s own Consultant Cardiologist, Professor Sanjay Sharma - with a potentially fatal heart condition. However, just as the authors from the myheart booklet had described, he told the audience that this had not held him back, just taken him in a different direction. Chief Executive and Founder of CRY, Alison Cox MBE, said; “Since CRY was first established in 1995, much of my time – both as a CEO and as a trained counsellor – has been dedicated to supporting bereaved families. However, as the charity evolved, it became clear that there was another group of people also desperately in need of support – but in a different way. “A diagnosis of one of these conditions is frightening for the young person affected and their family – particularly their parents. Many of those who come to us for advice often do so after the sudden and unexpected death of a parent, sibling or other relative which has possibly been the only indication that any form of genetic abnormality existed in their family. Feelings are running high – fear, anxiety, anger, insecurity. They desperately need the reassurance that their independence will not be Spring 2014
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