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'One Voice, Many Hearts' Round Table Discussion
Round Table discussion about the prevention of Young Sudden Cardiac Death brings vital campaigning energy back to Westminster
“We must use this event to move the dial on engagement with government and key stakeholders to avert tragedies like mine – and all others we will hear about today. We know we are all in this together - but we also need to be fighting this hidden killer, together”.
Just some of the powerful words shared by CRY campaigner and bereaved mother, Hilary Nicholls as she opened the ‘One Voice, Many Hearts’ Round Table, held in Westminster on Tuesday 23 April.
The event brought together over 50 families and individuals who’d all been affected by the devastating impact of a young sudden cardiac death – and who were all united in their commitment to preventing further tragedies through the provision of screening, awareness, the placement of AED (“defibs”) in the community and public places and wider access to CPR training.
Chaired by Carolyn Harris MP (Swansea East), the expert panel comprised Dr Steven Cox, Chief Executive of Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY); Professor Michael Papadakis (Professor of Cardiology at St George’s, University of London & Clinical academic in Sports Cardiology, Inherited Heart
Conditions, Preventive Cardiology) and Professor Lisa Hodgson (Elite athlete screening consultant for CRY). Other speakers included; Alex Bailess (Former FA Women’s National League Footballer who retired from the game in 2020 due to a diagnosis of cardiomyopathy, the same heart condition that led to the sudden death of her cousin, Jack); myheart member and CRY supporter, Tim Butt (who survived a cardiac arrest in 2013, aged just 23) and Sam Richards (Founder of TOBE Heartsafe).
A number of cross-party MPs also attended in support of their constituents who had been invited to the contribute to the debate.
Following a series of engaging presentations, guests were invited to put questions to the panel as well as sharing their own personal experiences of the impact of a young sudden cardiac death. The invited delegates challenged the line-up of experts on how best to harness their collective voice to help inform policy influence the decision making of current advisory bodies such the National Screening Committee (NSC).
Held in a time of pre-election uncertainty, the One Voice, Many Hearts Round Table was a timely opportunity to regroup and consolidate ideas and potential action plans on how to engage with a new wave of MPs in the latter part of 2024. Many of those who attended have fed-back that they felt inspired, focused and ready to support fresh calls for a National Strategy for the Prevention of Young Sudden Cardiac Death.
CRY would like to thank Hilary Nicholls for her work and the incredible efforts that went into organising the Round Table – and to everyone who gave up their time to attend the event, travelling from all corners of the UK (from Edinburgh to Cornwall, Kent to Cumbria – and many towns and cities in-between) demonstrating an inspiring and unwavering commitment to preventing young sudden cardiac death from the wider CRY community.
