A MUM who campaigned for every Gwent school to be fitted with a heart defibrillator hosted a heart screening day in memory of her son.
The event - organised by the Argus-backed Jack’s Appeal – saw charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) team up with June Thomas to screen 96 patients aged between 14 and 35.
Oakdale teen Jack died suddenly on February 12, 2012 from a suspected heart problem and the screening events aim identify potential heart defects in others before they become fatal.
The screening took place at Oakdale Medical Centre on Saturday, June 4 collecting £338 for the Jack’s Appeal charity.
Out of the 96 young people who were tested, 14 were referred to doctors for further investigations by cardiologists.
Mrs Thomas said: “It just goes to show how important these screening days are as these people would never have known that they had a heart defect if they hadn’t been screened on Saturday.
“The screening with CRY is just as important to us as donating the defibrillators through Jack's Appeal and Welsh Hearts. They’re both are saving lives and that's what we set out to do in memory of Jack.
"I would also like to thank the reception staff at Oakdale Medical Centre as without these ladies volunteering to open the surgery we would not have a venue for our screening days."
During the same weekend, horse riding group Islwyn Happy Hackers held a fancy dress ride, raising £451 towards paying for a heart screening session in February 2017.
The group have also ordered 30 handmade keyrings made with manes and tails of the groups horses, which they hope will generate £150 towards the cause.
Hayley Romanic-Griffiths, of Islwyn Happy Hackers, said: “This is Jack’s legacy and memory which is why I try my best to support all that June does.
“He was an inspirational young man who should of gone on to do great things and that Is what fuels and inspires me to be a better person and to do my very best to keep his memory alive.”
Chief executive of Cardiac Risk in the Young, Dr Steve Cox, praised the hard work of “friends, family and the entire community” who worked to bring the cardiac screening to Caerphilly.
“June has been able to see beyond her own devastating experience to raise funds and awareness for CRY and to play a vital part in preventing other families from having to endure the same,” he said.
“This was the fifth screening that has been funded by Jack’s Appeal – with two more booked for next year, which reflects June’s tremendous hard work and commitment.”
The next Jack’s Appeal heart screenings will take place next year recognising the anniversary of Jack’s death, Saturday, February 11 and Jack’s Birthday on Saturday, June 3.
For more information on Jack’s Appeal, visit welshhearts.org/jacksappeal.
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