Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) is a humanitarian charitable organisation helping to raise awareness of young sudden cardiac death (YSCD, SCD), including sudden arrhythmic death syndrome (SADS, SDS). CRY was established in May 1995 by Alison Cox (MBE) and is based in the United Kingdom.
The charity supports the families of victims of YSCD, facilitates the heart screening of young people through cardiac testing programmes and contributes to medical research.
Raising awareness of young sudden cardiac death amongst the general public and within the medical community
Providing appropriate support to affected families, including expert cardiac pathology
Increasing early diagnosis through cardiac screening for young people
Improving the management of young people identified with cardiac conditions
Furthering research into young sudden cardiac death
The CRY General Election Manifesto 2015 states: “Through awareness, support and screening many deaths can be prevented, and research into these conditions will be the key to providing the knowledge crucial to saving these young lives.”
CRY offers support to those who have suffered tragedies through a network of trained volunteer bereavement supporters, counselling groups and medical information. The charity also offers support and regular meetings to young people diagnosed with a cardiac condition through their myheart Network.
CRY holds regular subsidised ECG screening clinics for those aged 14 to 35 across the UK, with the majority of events funded by bereaved families and free to the public.
The charity funds an expert centre for fast-track cardiac pathology in the UK, the CRY Centre for Cardiac Pathology (CRY CCP) at St George's Hospital, London. The centre is directed by Professor Mary Sheppard. Pathology is free of charge when the cause of death is unascertained and the deceased was aged 35 or under. CRY also funds the CRY Centre for Inherited Cardiovascular Disease and Sports Cardiology at St George’s Hospital. Professor Sanjay Sharma, medical director of the London Marathon, is CRY’s consultant cardiologist and leads their research programme.
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)
Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia (ARVC)
Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM)
Restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM)
Myocarditis
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
Ion Channelopathies - Long QT syndrome (inc. Jervell and Lange-Nielsen syndrome & Romano-Ward syndrome), Brugada, Lev-Lenegre's Syndrome)
Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (WPW)
Coronary artery anomaly (CAAs)
Marfan Syndrome
Other cardiac conditions - Endocardial fibroelastosis (EFE), Tachycardia, Antibiotic Prophylaxis, Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis, Right bundle branch block (RBBB), Kawasaki Disease
On 15 July 2004 CRY launched its National Postcard Campaign to highlight the deaths of eight young people per week from undiagnosed heart problems by featuring their pictures. The campaign was launched at a Parliamentary Reception in Westminster. From August 2004 the Postcard has been re-launched as region specific including South West, North East, South, North West, Scotland and Wales versions. In February 2009 the postcard campaign was updated to "12 a week" and continues to draw attention the number of young people with undetected heart conditions.
Sir Ian Botham OBE - former England cricketer, honorary president of CRY
Rob Andrew MBE - former England rugby union international, RFU director of elite rugby
John Barrowman MBE - actor, singer, dancer, musical theatre performer, writer and television personality
Jeremy Bates - former British tennis player
Ben Brown - BBC journalist
Clive Clarke - former professional footballer
James Cracknell OBE - former British rower, winner of two Olympic gold medals
Brian Dooher - former Tyrone Gaelic football player
Nick Easter - Harlequins and England rugby player
Jonny Evans - West Bromwich Albion and Northern Ireland footballer
Baroness Ilora Finlay - independent crossbench member of the House of Lords
Simon Halliday - former England rugby union international
Kathryn Harries - director of the National Opera Studio, soprano
Michael Hoey - professional golfer
John Inverdale - BBC Sport presenter and journalist
Tom James MBE - British rower, double Olympic gold medallist
Pat Jennings OBE KSG - former Northern Ireland goalkeeper
Robert Jones MBE - Wales rugby union coach and former player
Rob Key - former captain of Kent County Cricket Club, England cricketer
Pixie Lott - singer, songwriter and actress
Emily Maitlis - BBC News presenter
Graeme McDowell MBE - professional Golfer, US Open winner and Ryder Cup player
Professor William McKenna - professor of cardiology
Lee Mears - former England rugby union international
Bill Neely - NBC chief global correspondent
Lawrence Okoye - British Olympic athlete, GB men's discus record holder, American football player
Phil Packer MBE - former major in the British Armed Forces, fundraiser for charities that help young people
Sir Steven Redgrave CBE - former British rower, winner of five Olympic gold medals
Joe Root - England and Yorkshire cricketer
Andy Scott - former professional football player and manager
Roger Taylor MBE - former British tennis player
Professor Gaetano Thiene - professor of cardiology
Gregor Townsend MBE - former Scotland rugby union international
Andrew Triggs Hodge MBE - GB rowing, double Olympic gold medallist
David Walliams - comedy actor and TV personality
Matt Wells - GB Rowing, Olympic bronze medallist
Ray Wilkins MBE - former England international footballer
Sir Clive Woodward OBE - World Cup winning England rugby union coach, director of elite performance for the British Olympic Association
