Stop the Heartbreak launches 2016 campaign

Following the success of the past two years, the Stop the Heartbreak campaign is launching an appeal to help fund cardiac screening in 2016.

Supported by the University of Gloucestershire and the Gloucester Citizen, the campaign aims to raise money to provide people aged between 14 and 35 vital heart screening to detect any abnormalities, and potentially save lives. Every week at least 12 young people die from undetected heart conditions in the UK.

During 2015, the Stop the Heartbreak campaign supported the screening of a further 300 local young people.

In addition to the two days at the University’s Oxstalls campus, 2015 also saw Cardiac Risk in the Young’s’ (C-R-Y) mobile screening unit attend Cinderford Rugby Club. 100 young people aged between 14 and 35 years were given an electrocardiograph (ECG) to look for underlying heart conditions that may not give rise to any symptoms – in 80% of cases, there will be no ‘warning signs.’

During the screening day in Cinderford three people tested were identified as having potential problems and all have been referred on for further testing at St George’s Hospital, London in their specialist cardiology unit. Professor Diane Crone, Professor of Exercise Science at the University of Gloucestershire, said: “This just shows us how vital the screening event is and we urge more people to come forward to support the campaign and help us fund further screening events in the county.”

Two screening days have been booked; Saturday, 20 February at Oxstalls campus in Longlevens, Gloucester and on the Sunday, 21 February at Park Campus in Cheltenham. Booking for screening places will open shortly; although the campaign needs financial support to be able to continue to provide the screenings for free.

If any companies/organisations would like to support the campaign please contact Stop the Heartbreak at stoptheheartbreak@glos.ac.uk.

There is also a Justgiving site for anyone who would like to make a donation www.justgiving.com/stop-the-heartbreak.

For more information on how you can get involved see www.glos.ac.uk/stoptheheartbreak.