Support of Heart House for SADs testing
On the 23rd of April 2023, I will embark on the biggest mental and physical challenge of my life - a gruelling 6 day, 250km multi stage race in the Sahara desert, where temperatures can reach an eye-watering 50°C.
It is called the Marathon Des Sables, the toughest foot race in the world.
When I think about it, I feel grateful and happy, filled with energy - I can't wait!
My reason for running is to remember someone who deeply and positively impacted my life - my great friend Kevin Hayes and my mission is to raise awareness of the condition that caused his untimely death.
This race is for Kevin. He was a young man who always had a smile on his face and personally went out of his way to help others. He was hugely determined and focused on his passions (cooking, the dogs' trust, socializing with friends & family and advancing the field of biologics through his doctoral studies at UL).
But above all that, for me he was simply my dear friend, and we learned a lot from each other when we lived together on placement back in 2011. Our friendship was forged over our love for cooking and of course, the occasional social beverage!
In 2017 the worst and most shocking thing imaginable happened. Kevin died of what would later be determined as SAD - Sudden Adult Death Syndrome, which occurs when a person's heart has a serious abnormal heart rhythm which comes from the lower chambers of the organ.
The numbers are shocking. Every week in Ireland two families feel the loss of a loved one due to SADs with 70-100 people under the age of 40 tragically losing their lives - every single year.
Early detection is key. Genetic testing and heart screening are two accessible tools used to detect if a person is at risk of SADs. Having these answers saves lives.
This is why I am running the MDS - to remember my friend and to raise awareness and much needed funds for the work of the charity Heart House. My goal is to raise 10,000 euro to support their incredible research and work in this field to help prevent this happening to anyone else and I hope that you can help me achieve that target.
Based out of Dublin's Mater hospital, Heart house is a free family heart screening clinic. Founded in 2007, to date they have tested over 11,000 people for inherited cardiac conditions.
The money raised for this race would go a long way to supporting additional resources and testing at Heart House so that they can continue to minimise impacts of this tragic condition on our young people.
Often on my long runs in training for the MDS, I think about what Kevin would say if he knew what I was doing. His first reaction would be to say, with a big broad smile on his face “Go away, Unreal!! Followed by “How can I help”
I hope that you will have the same reaction and help by making a donation. Every amount will make a difference, please click here to donate what you can and share this page with your friends :
To find out more about Heart House:
Organizer
Matthew Halpin
Organizer
County Clare
THE MATER FOUNDATION
Beneficiary