Fund-raising family bring cardiac screening back to Frome in memory of Julian Wort

Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) will be holding a fourth day of cardiac screening in Frome on Saturday 30th June at Oakfield Academy in memory of Julian Wort.

Thanks to the incredible fundraising efforts of Julian’s family and friends – who tragically died in March 2000 from Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS), aged just 28 – up to 100 further, free screenings have been funded.

Although this screening is already fully booked, the Wort family – supported by friends, family and the wider community – plans to continue raising awareness of CRY, as well as further funds, in order to bring cardiac screening back to Frome in the future.

Julian’s mum, Shirley Wort said, “As a family, we are hoping that by funding our fourth screening day in Frome – through Julian’s Memorial Fund –  we will continue to raise awareness and prevent another family from going through the same heartache and loss that we went through in March 2000.

“Through CRY, we have already tested over 280 local young people and I would like to thank everyone who continues to give so generously in Julian’s memory.”

Every week, 12 apparently fit and healthy young (aged 35 and under) people lose their lives to sudden cardiac death in the UK – a statistic that is believed to be a conservative estimate.

A staggering 80% of these apparently healthy young people who die from young sudden cardiac death will have shown no previous sign of heart defects until it is too late – which is why CRY believes screening is vitally important.

An ECG test is a simple way to identify the majority of abnormalities that can cause sudden deaths in young people. The test is quick, non-invasive and, if necessary, a echocardiogram can be taken on the same day to provide further clarity or reassurance.

Chief executive of CRY, Dr. Steven Cox said, “The death of a young person is heart-breaking and devastating for any family. It is therefore essential that anyone with a potentially fatal heart condition knows about it. Without this knowledge and, if necessary, appropriate treatment, they could be putting their lives at risk as in 80% of cases there are no signs or symptoms. Sport itself does not actually cause sudden cardiac death but it can significantly increase a young person’s risk if they have an underlying condition. However, research carried out by CRY has also shown that a large number of these deaths will also occur when a young person is at rest or even sleeping.”

“CRY now tests around 27,000 young people, aged 14-35, annually. But we still believe screening needs to be extended to all young people. Although screening will not identify all those at risk, in Italy, where screening is mandatory for all young people engaged in organised sport, the incidence of young sudden cardiac death has decreased by 90%.”

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 the medical director of the Virgin London Marathon. Professor Sharma makes no charge for supervising the CRY screening programme and due to this support, CRY is able to subsidise the programme significantly – privately, these tests could cost hundreds of pounds.

The screening will take place at Oakfield Academy, Oakfield Road Frome BA11 4JF,