The Robert Rowan Memorial Fund, set up with Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY), a partner organisation in the Heart of West London (HoWL) initiative, completed its 1,000th heart screening in the community this March.
Over the weekend of 9 and 10 March, events held in partnership with Brentford FC and CRY at Brentford FC Community Sports Trust delivered free heart screenings for people aged 18-35.
Heart screenings are an essential part of identifying asymptomatic young people with cardiac health issues that require further investigation, and can be lifesaving.
Every week, 12 apparently fit and healthy young (aged 35 and under) people lose their lives to sudden cardiac death in the UK. A staggering 80% of these apparently healthy young people who die from sudden cardiac death will have shown no previous sign of heart defects until it is too late.
Cardiac Risk in the Young believes proactive screening, using the gold-standard ECG (echocardiogram) test and follow-up Echo (ultrasound) if necessary, is vitally important to prevention.
The screenings were funded by the Robert Rowan Memorial Fund which was set up in memory of former Brentford FC technical director, Robert Rowan, who tragically suffered a fatal sudden cardiac arrest in 2018, aged 28. Spearheaded by Robert’s wife, Suzanne, 1,000 young people across Brentford and two venues in Scotland have now received free cardiac screenings in his honour.
As a result of the tests carried out, CRY’s data shows that 74, ‘asymptomatic’ young people have been identified with abnormalities in tracings of the heart’s rhythm which required referral for further investigation.
Suzanne also set up the fundraising organisation and HoWL partner, A K A Day to further support cardiac screenings and raise awareness of cardiac health.
The 1000th free heart screening appointment provided in memory of Rob Rowan took place in #Brentford. 1000 young people in Brentford & Scotland have now been tested in Rob’s memory, with more planned thanks to the Heart of West London Partnership by @BrentfordFC#RememberingRob… pic.twitter.com/Xd1iKeY31B
— CRY (@CRY_UK) March 13, 2024
Brentford FC has been raising awareness of cardiac health since the sudden passing of Rob and is proud to continue campaigning in his memory. The Heart of West London initiative was set up in 2022 and brings together key players in the cardiac health world to use the power of sport and our collective voice to save lives.
We’ve already seen an incredible response to the campaign from our fans and community and are delighted to offer people the opportunity to attend free heart screening events.
Nity Raj, director at Brentford FC and trustee of Brentford FC Community Sports Trust said: “These screenings have provided 74 young people with essential information about their heart health and treatment options. Ultimately, lives will be saved.
“I’m so proud of everyone who’s been involved with raising the funds that allowed us to reach this incredible total – to date – of over 1,000 tests carried out. But I’m especially proud of Suzanne. Thank you so much for driving on with this mission to prevent young sudden cardiac death.
“I’m so proud of everyone who has been involved with raising the funds that allowed us to reach this incredible total, to date, of over 1,000 tests carried out. But I’m especially proud of Suzanne. Thank you so much for driving on with this mission to prevent young sudden cardiac death.”
Chief executive of Cardiac Risk in the Young, Dr Steven Cox, adds: “We began screening young people almost 30 years ago and it’s such an achievement that as a charity we’re now delivering screening to almost 30,000 young people every year – and this is almost entirely thanks to the fundraising efforts of families, friends and local businesses and organisations such as The Robert Rowan Memorial Fund and A K A Day.
“To hit the 1,000 mark is truly impressive and a testament to the dedication and determination of Suzanne and the huge support of Brentford FC who have really welcomed CRY into their family. I have no doubt this is just the tip of the iceberg and that Robert’s legacy will live on through the incredible efforts of all those who knew and worked alongside him.”
Suzanne Rowan said: “As always, Rob’s family and I would like to thank the Brentford FC community for all their support in memory of Rob. Without them, our ongoing funding for screenings just wouldn’t be possible. We are proud to be making an impact on the lives of young people and playing a part in helping to prevent other families from experiencing the same devastating grief as we have.
“I am so grateful for the support and encouragement I also receive from Brentford, and I have so much admiration for other CRY families who also achieve so much without the platform I am fortunate to have via the club and the Heart of West London partnership to which I, and CRY, all belong. Here’s to the next 1000!”
The Heart of West London partnership is made up of Brentford FC, Brentford FC Community Sports Trust, Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals Charity, Cardiac Risk in the Young, Resuscitation Council UK and A K A Day.
Find out more about Heart of West London.
https://www.brentfordfc.com/en/news/article/community-brentford-robert-rowan-memorial-fund-1000th-heart-of-west-london-screening
