Cycling Ireland and Dillon Quirke Foundation join forces to urge young cyclists: ‘check your heart health’
The Dillon Quirke Foundation has launched it’s first cardiac screening initiative in partnership with Cycling Ireland. Every year, Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS) takes 100 young lives in Ireland, deaths which could be prevented by early identification of heart conditions via cardiac screening.
Over the course of two days, the Dillon Quirke Foundation, founded by the family of the young Tipperary hurler who collapsed and died during a match in 2022, screened 90 young cycling athletes in Killarney, Co. Kerry for potential cardiac abnormalities.
It’s the first initiative of its type, and saw a significant number of Cycling Ireland’s 26,000 members – and particularly its’ almost 2000 youth members – check their cardiac health.
Dan Quirke, father of Dillon Quirke and founder of the Foundation stated today: “We’re proud to be in Killarney to begin cardiac screenings for young athletes in partnership with Cycling Ireland. We’ve seen huge progress in the level of cardiac screening across GAA, soccer, rugby, boxing and performing arts sports clubs across the country. Now, expanding our efforts into the cycling community is a significant step in raising awareness of the prevalence of SADS and other potentially serious heart problems which often go unnoticed and unchecked. It’s vitally important for young people, regardless of their sporting and fitness abilities, to understand their heart health and through early detection we can save lives.”
Many of the 100 young deaths a year attributed to SADS could be prevented by identifying heart conditions at an early stage through cardiac screening. Last year the Foundation caught cardiac abnormalities in 243 of the 10,128 young people it screened. These individuals were advised to undergo follow-up cardiology tests post-screening which can include echocardiograms, cardiac electrophysiologist reviews, cardiology reviews and stress tests.
The effective screenings allow for early detection of potentially life-threatening conditions, which has led to timely interventions, including surgeries, which may have saved lives.
Commenting on the screening, Stephen Griffin, Munster Regional Development Officer for Cycling Ireland, said: “At Cycling Ireland we are dedicated to promoting and enhancing the sport of cycling by supporting the health and wellbeing of all our members, especially our junior and youth athletes: Cardiac screening is a quick and easy way to keep young cyclists safe – and can cost less than the price of a new helmet. I want to thank the Foundation for providing this vital opportunity to our athletes in Killarney this week and encourage all clubs and families across Ireland to support this important initiative by undertaking cardiac screening.”
Cycling Ireland has 2000 youth members who range from age 14 to 18.
About the Dillon Quirke Foundation
Dillon Quirke was 24 when he collapsed during a hurling match and died of Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS) on 5th August 2022 in Semple Stadium, Thurles. Dillon died while captaining his club, Clonoulty-Rossmore, in a championship match against Kilruane McDonaghs.
The Foundation was subsequently established by Dillon’s family – his parents Dan and Hazel, and his sisters Shannon and Kellie – with the aim of funding widespread cardiac screening for young people (aged 12-18). Dillon’s family want to prevent other families from going through what they have experienced and, in the process, save lives.
On average, Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS) takes 100 young lives in Ireland every year. Cardiac screening can help prevent SADS by identifying heart conditions at an early stage – before they cause symptoms.
The screening programme funded by the Dillon Quirke Foundation is delivered by Advanced Medical Services. It offers cardiac screening in sports clubs nationwide with the aim of reducing incidents of SADS.
Since Dillon’s passing, fundraising initiatives for the Foundation have included the sale of branded jerseys and numerous community and sporting events throughout the country, as well as the ongoing development of corporate partnerships.