GNR 2021 - In Memory of Paul Brogan

My name is Sophie and I'm raising money in memory of my Grandy, Paul Brogan.
I will be taking part in the Great North Run 2021 in his honour.


My Grandad passed away suddenly on 8th March 2021, and we had no idea why or how.
After a post-mortem, it was discovered that his cause of death was an Aortic Dissection, which then led to a brain haemorrhage.
This Aortic Dissection was missed when he was in hospital recently, as it commonly is.
We will never know the outcome if it had been picked up on, or if he'd still be with us now, but we can try to help others get the diagnosis they need.

I am running the GNR for Heart Research UK, to fund awareness and education surrounding Aortic Dissections.

Aortic surgery is a highly-specialised area and is difficult to train for because the operations are complex and the numbers of patients are small. In 2014, Heart Research UK introduced aortic surgery masterclasses with the aim of improving the care of aortic patients.
The courses provide a unique opportunity for the surgeons to gain hands-on experience of total aortic arch replacement with world-renowned surgeons sharing their skills and knowledge about this important, life-saving surgical technique.
Heart Research UK have organised seven aortic surgery masterclasses so far, training almost 100 surgeons in this important life-saving technique.

Thank you for reading my story.


More information about Heart Research UK: For over 50 years, Heart Research UK has funded pioneering research into the prevention, treatment and cure of heart disease. Many things that we now take for granted, such as heart valves, angioplasty would not have been developed without our help.