A MOVING remembrance service was held on the Southside
recently for all those affected by the loss of a loved one to sudden cardiac
death (SCD) syndrome.
The annual service in the Church of Ireland on
Monkstown Road was attended by dozens of families from across the country who
had lost someone to the condition.
“It was a beautiful moment for all the families
affected,
? said Monica Martin from Rialto, who set up the Sudden Cardiac Death
support group in 2005 after the death of her 16-year-old son, Conor.
“People came from as far away as Tipperary and Kerry
to attend the service,
? she revealed.
“There were many young people there too
as this condition affects so many in their youth. In fact, the girls who sang
some of the songs at the service had lost two of their own friends.
“The service is held every year in the run up to
Christmas,
? she added.
“Most families are not aware that SCD exists. It is an
underlying condition that some people may have but are not aware that they have
it.
“We recognise that death in general is always very
difficult for families, which is why this is held near Christmas, in order to
bring people together as a means of support.
?
The condition is likely to claim the lives of people
under the age of 35.
Monica said that while the condition is often
associated with the deaths of young people on the sports field it is not
confined to athletes.
She said it could occur in apparently healthy people
who did not otherwise appear to have any symptoms of heart disease.
However, she pointed out that most of the symptoms
associated with the condition can be treated.
The most common side effects are dizziness, fainting
and blackouts from an unknown cause.
It is also associated with a racing heartbeat while
resting which some people may mistake as a panic attack.
One Southside mum whose son died from SCD attended the
service that was also held to highlight the seriousness of the genetic heart
condition.
Orlaith Shearer, from Mount Merrion, lost her son
Marcus (22) to SCD two years ago.
“Marcus was visiting Thailand for the second time in
August 2009 because he loved it so much,
? she explained.
“I’d spoken to him a
number of times and he seemed perfectly fine.
“He told me he was going to take it easy because he
wanted to save himself for Thailand’s Full Moon Party. His friends returned to
his room later on and saw him in the bed with a sheet over him. First they
thought he was sleeping, but when they called him he didn’t respond. We later
found out that he died from SCD.
?
Orlaith said Marcus had a larger than life character
and that he was always happy.
“He lived life to the full,
? she said.
“He had just
finished his degree in Trinity College and he was due to carve out his career.
It is important to mention that Marcus wasn’t too involved in sport. A lot of
people associate SCD with sport but this was not the case with Marcus.
“It can affect anybody, even people who are not
sporty. People need to be aware of this.
?
Orlaith has urged people worried about the condition
to attend the screening clinic in the Mater Hospital.
“We have managed to raise
?¬100,000 for the hospital
and they have been able to create a post for a genetic counsellor,
? she added.
“Our fundraising is ongoing and we will continue to
highlight this condition.
?
The remembrance service on December 4 has been held
every year to support affected families and affect change so that others may
live.
For more information go to www.scdyoung.ie or tel:
087-3232552