Cardiac screening for young people had record uptake in Mayo town
Pictured at the cardiac screening event in Claremorris were, from left: Aidan Brennan (Claremorris LGFA Chairman), Martin Cosgrove (Claremorris Bord na nÓg ), Aisling McGahan (EMT Claremorris South Responder Group), Mark Jordan (Claremorris GAA Treasurer). Back row: Padraic McHugh (Claremorris GAA Fundraising Officer), Tony McGing (First Responder), Orla Sweeney and Donna Cassidy (secretary and chair of Claremorris South Responder Group), Paul Hunt (Claremorris GAA Chairman). Picture: Trish Forde
Claremorris South Responder Group teamed up with the Dillon Quirke Foundation and Claremorris GAA Club to cardiac screen 185 young people aged between 12 and 18 in Claremorris. This is the highest number of young people ever screened in Ireland. The screening was free of charge with thanks to the Dillon Quirke Foundation.
The Foundation was established by the family of Tipperary hurler Dillon Quirke, who collapsed and died during a hurling match at Semple Stadium in August 2022. The Foundation’s aims are to promote awareness of the importance of cardiac screening in preventing Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS) and to provide cardiac screening opportunities for young people nationwide, working in partnership with Advanced Medical Services (AMS), a provider of onsite medical services.
The interest and uptake in Claremorris was massive. Within twelve hours of going live, 142 families had registered for the screening, which took place from August 6th to 9th at the local GAA Club.
During that week, Claremorris Responder Group and Claremorris GAA Club held an appreciation day with Dan and Hazel Quirke (Dillon's parents) coming to Claremorris which coincided with the second anniversary of Dillon’s death. Community Engagement Officer John McShane from the National Ambulance Service joined them together with some Mayo senior football players and political representatives.
“On average, 100 young people die in Ireland each year because of Sudden Adult Death Syndrome," said Donna Cassidy, Chairperson of the Claremorris South Responders Group. "Many of these deaths could be prevented by identifying heart conditions at an early stage through cardiac screening. Our community wishes to promote the amazing work the Dillon Quirke Foundation is doing which could, in fact, save one of our young people. This is about our community and clubs working together for our young people."
Dan Quirke said: “At the beginning of 2024, the Dillon Quirke Foundation set the ambitious target of screening at least 10,000 young people this year. With five months left in the year, we are delighted to have reached over 70% of our target alreadyy."
Martin Cosgrove, Claremorris GAA Club Bord na nÓg, said: “Claremorris GAA Club were delighted to come on board with Claremorris South Responders Group to host the cardiac screening for young people. We are very fortunate to have such great sports facilities in Claremorris which makes the cardiac screening so important."
