Calum Haggett attends CRY charity launch at Westminster
Thursday 4th December 2014
Kent all-rounder Callum Haggett attended the official launch for a charity with special significance.
The 24-year-old was a guest of the Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) charity to raise awareness of the risk of cardiac death in young people.
The former England Under 19s star was diagnosed with a cardiac condition which required open-heart surgery during a routine screening session in 2010.
Haggett said: "That heart screening probably saved my life as I had no symptoms whatsoever.
"It is good that I can now help CRY raise awareness to hopefully save someone else's life."
Calum joined his 2014 shirt partner Paul Daniels from Bickley, a CRY supporter and bereaved parent who lost his son Ben in 2011 playing football.
Mr Daniels has set up a memorial fund aimed to increase awareness and provide routine heart screening for active young people.
He said: “I can’t thank our friends, neighbours and Ben’s friends enough for their efforts and energy in helping us to raise funds.
"We’re also so grateful to Kent Cricket for supporting Calum in his decision to help us raise awareness of CRY by talking about his own, personal story.
"Calum is a very fine example of how a serious heart condition – if detected and treated – does not have to mean the end of an elite and promising sporting career.”
Kent captain Rob Key is also the patron of the charity in memory of his close friend Ben Simpson who suddenly lost his life whilst playing a game of hockey.
The new film follows a teenager boy on the rugby pitch, in the moments leading up to his sudden collapse on the field in front of team-mates and supporters.
Tragically, this mirrors the experience of many bereaved parents who approach CRY for support – and often, seeking answers – in the aftermath of their devastating loss.
The new campaign sets out to emphasise the importance of cardiac screening amongst young people (that is, aged 14-35) and the need for unexplained symptoms (such as fainting, blackouts and palpitations) to be explored appropriately and not dismissed.
Every week in the UK, 12 apparently fit and healthy young people aged 35 and under die suddenly from a previously undiagnosed heart condition.
In around 80% of cases, there will have been no signs, symptoms or warnings – underlining the vital role of screening.
Indeed, CRY’s national screening programme now tests over 15,000 young people every year and it is estimated that one in 300 young people aged 35 and under who are tested by CRY are found to carry a potentially life-threatening condition.
Sport itself does not cause young sudden cardiac death but intensive physical activity – particularly endurance sports such as rowing, rugby, football and long distance running – can exacerbate an underlying condition.