Cardiac Risk in the Young has announced it is to provide its cardiac screenings in 2012 at no cost to the general public. Previously each screen cost £35. The first screening offered at no charge will be held in Jordanstown on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 November.

CRY has scheduled ten clinics over the next twelve months. Each clinic will be offered at no charge to the general public.

CRY’s screening programme has been backed by local sports stars including Graeme McDowell, Jonny Evans, Brian Dooher, Micheal Hoey and Andrew Trimble.

Local CRY representative John Lundy explained:

“CRY has been providing screening clinics in Northern Ireland for five years now. Running alongside the screening there has been a sustained fundraising programme.”

“We are now in the position where we are able to offer people across Northern Ireland screening at no cost to them. Thanks to the funds raised by supporters of CRY, families of those that have died from cardiac related illnesses and the generosity of the general public, we are pleased to be able to offer this opportunity. We hope that it will encourage young people to go get screened.”

It is proposed that free screening will be available for at least twelve months and will be reviewed annually.

John added: “Already thanks to fundraising efforts in Newry and in Coleraine we have in the past offered screening where participants did not have to pay. We believe that this is something people will respond to.

“We are removing the cost barrier to screening.  In the past we always stated that screening was affordable now we have created the opportunity for anyone – individuals, sports clubs schools, and youth groups to come to a clinic and get screened.”

“It is our hope that people benefitting from the screening programme will make a financial donation to the CRY fundraising effort either individually or as part of a group fundraiser.”

To book online go to: www.c-r-y.org.uk/ecg.htm

Screening Dates:

2012 Dates

28th & 29th January Newry

18th & 19th February Belfast

10th & 11th March Coleraine

12th & 13th May Belfast

9th & 10th June Belfast

21st & 22nd July Derry

1st & 2nd September – Coleraine

6th & 7th October  Belfast

10th & 11th November Belfast

 Almost 150 screenings were carried out at the Screening Clinic held at Newry Shamrocks GAA Club in Newry on 16 & 17 July.

The Clinic was co-ordinated by Joan and John McGuinness, parents of Oisin McGuinness. 

The costs of the Clinic were covered by funds raised in Newry in Oisin's memory over the last eighteen months.

Pictured are 

CRY ‘Go Get Screened’ Campaign comes to Newry in July

Clinic Dates: Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th of July.

Local Cardiac Screening campaigners John and Joan McGuinness have called on young people to Go Get Screened at the Newry Clinic. John and his wife Joan lost their 16-year-old son Oisin to an undiagnosed cardiac condition in 2009. Since then they have been tireless in campaigning to promote cardiac awareness and screening for young people in memory of Oisin.

Now, following extensive fundraising in Newry, the McGuinness family has revealed that anyone wishing to get screened at the forthcoming July clinic will not have to pay the usual £35 fee.

John said: “We are delighted to have been able to bring a CRY clinic to Newry. The CRY screening clinics have a cardiologist present to supervise screenings, carry out echocardiograms and offer further advice if required in the event of anything showing up. The screenings are ten minutes long, they are painless and thanks to the fundraising in Newry, this time they are offered at no charge.”

“We would encourage all young people to come and get screened. We would appeal to parents, coaches and mentors of sports teams to send their young people along to the clinic. There is absolutely no reason not to get screened.”

Joan McGuinness said: “Through the generosity of people in the Newry area, we have been able to cover the costs of the clinic so people don’t have to pay the normal £35 charge. The people of Newry have already shown their support for screening and our wish is that the funds are used to ensure our young people can get screened.”

Oisin’s mother added: “A lot of people around here knew our Oisin and  they have raised money in his memory. It is the view of our family that at this time the best way to honour his memory is to put the money  towards screening. We don’t want any parents of a young person going through the pain and heartache of losing a child.

 CRY Go Get Screened Campaign

Andrew Trimble and Brian Dooher become CRY Patrons

Local Sporting Heroes Brian Dooher, Tyrone's All Ireland winning captain and Andrew Trimble of Ulster and Ireland have agreed to become Patrons of CRY, lending their support to the campaign to Go Get Screened.

Supporting the camaign Andrew Trimble said:

“I firmly believe that all young people, should attend cardiac screening whether they are involved in sport or not. It is important to know that you are fit to compete in the sport of your choice. Likewise if a problem is diagnosed, it can be treated. It is better to be safe. My message is simple: Go Get Screened.”

Brian Dooher added:

“I am strongly in support of cardiac screening and I would encourage all young people to Go Get Screened.

“We want to see young people playing sport. We want them being the best they can be, and enjoying themselves. We also want to encourage them to look after themselves and their health. Nothing else is as important as your health.”

“We don’t want to see any more young people dying of cardiac conditions that could have been detected and treated.”

After Aaron is a documentary screened on Ulster Television in 2010. It was made by a production team including Patrick Trolan who was a friend of Aaron's.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdxPS73lkAI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7O455Pdbkn0&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnEb7vpSO3E&feature=related

Derry Premier Camogie champions Eoghan Rua have been showing their support for the charity Cardiac Risk in the Young.

On the space occupied by a sponsor’s logo on most team shirts, the Eoghan Rua girls devoted the sponsor’s place to CRY logo to show the club’s backing for the charity.

The club’s link with CRY is mainly due to the friendship many Eoghan Rua club members shared with Aaron Lundy who died from a cardiac related condition eleven years ago. Aaron’s father, and local CRY representatives John Lundy has worked with the club to get over seventy members screened.

Now, as part of the continuing campaign to increase awareness of cardiac health and promote screening the local girls have been flying the flag for CRY in their successful Derry and Ulster campaigns to date.

Eoghan Rua and Derry All Star forward Gráinne McGoldrick said:

“It is very important for young people to look after their health and we are delighted to carry the CRY name on the playing shirts. If it helps encourage even one person to go and screened it is worthwhile.”

John Lundy said: “CRY is grateful to Eoghan Rua camogie team for promoting our work. We believe all young people should be screened and these girls are a fine example. We wish them all the best in their forthcoming Ulster Final against Clonduff.”

The Running For Aaron team present a cheque for £23,450 to CRY NI. Well done to the team for all their hard work and effort!

Northern Ireland golfing star Michael Hoey was in Portstewart last week to lend his support to Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY).

The professional golfer, who was born in Ballymoney, approached Portstewart man John Lundy, whose son Aaron, a keen golfer and footballer, tragically died of a heart condition some ten years ago.

Aaron and Michael grew up on the golf course together alongside US Open Champion Graeme McDowell.

Click here for the full story from the Coleraine Times

Running for Aaron raised £22,000 for Cardiac Risk in the Young, a superb effort by everybody involved! Events included a fundraiser in the Ramore Restaurant, Portush, The London Marathon, and The Belfast Marathon.

On Sunday 30th May, Ground Espresso Bars along with BM Promotions have organised a Family Fun Day called 'It's a Knockout' to be held at Kelly's, Portrush. The day's events will kick off at 1pm, with all the proceeds going to CRY! There will be a team event with things such as Rodeo Bull, Bungee Run, Gladiators, Penalty Kicks and Sumo Wrestling. The day will also include face painting and balloon modelling for kids, SpongeBob SquarePants, Live Bands, DJ's and Big Bad Barbeque!

Final Cheque for £35,600 presented to CRY for the money raised during the year of Aaron's 10th Anniversary - Belfast Marathon and Golf Day. Thanks to all our sponsors and everyone who supported the events.

In memory of Aaron Lundy, three members of the 1996 Ulster Boys team, in which Aaron played, will battle it out in a Skins game around the fine links course of Portstewart Golf Club to raise money for the Aaron Lundy Memorial Fund in aid of CRY UK.

The players participating in the event include Ryder Cup star Graeme McDowell, Irish PGA professional David Jones and accomplished amateur Stuart Kyle. Also playing will be Irish International and East of Ireland champion Paul Cutler.

Golf will be followed by an auction and formal dinner with guest speakers.

For more details view the event website at http://www.aaronlundycharitygolfday.co.uk/