A SCREENING programme to identify undiagnosed heart conditions in the young may have potentially saving three more lives when it returned in memory a Lichfield couple’s son.
The event, run by Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) and organised by the parents of Anthony Lane, who died suddenly of cardiac arrest aged just 26.
More than 100 young people attended the session in Sutton Coldfield.
Anthony's dad Paul said:
"We screened 105 young people and three were referred for further investigations, so a great result.
"Together with so many bereaved parents that we meet through CRY, we strive to continue publicising this issue and hope one day a national screening programme is introduced."
Previous screening events organised by Paul and Anthony's mother Penny have seen almost 200 young people checked.
Anthony added that such events were crucial to helping other parents avoid losing a child.
He said:
"One Saturday morning in October 2022 Anthony was on his turbo trainer bike at home, exercising alone. His partner returned home after shopping to find him unresponsive on the floor.
"West Midlands Ambulance Service and the air ambulance attended but unfortunately Anthony had already passed away.
"It is believed that Anthony had an undiagnosed heart condition, from which he had no symptoms. This led us to CRY and we learned more about the research they're doing and their lobbying of politicians to try and get the Government to test young people between the ages of 14 and 35."
CRY works to prevent young sudden cardiac deaths through awareness, screening and research and supporting affected families.
Dr Steven Cox, CEO of the organisation, said:
"Our screening team was so pleased to return thanks to the incredible and tireless fundraising and awareness work carried out by Paul and Penny Lane, in memory of their son Anthony.
"We never underestimate the courage and strength it takes for bereaved families to see beyond their own devastating grief and to do all they can to prevent another family or individual from ever having to endure a similar tragedy."
