I'm running the Cardiff Half Marathon this year, I'll be fundraising and raising awareness for a charity called C.R.Y (Cardiac Risk in the Young).

Over 6 years ago, I was diagnosed with a very rare heart condition. This charity was able to help change (potentially save) my life! I'll always be forever grateful for the help I received from C.R.Y during a time of uncertainty and worry.

Who are C.R.Y, and what do they do??

Every week in the UK, at least 12 young people die of undiagnosed heart conditions. Since its formation in 1995, Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) has been working to reduce the frequency of young sudden cardiac death (YSCD). CRY supports young people diagnosed with potentially life-threatening cardiac conditions and offers bereavement support to families affected by YSCD. CRY promotes and develops heart screening programmes and funds medical research. CRY publishes and distributes medical information written by leading cardiologists for the general public. CRY funds specialist referral, screening, and cardiac pathology services at leading UK hospitals.

My Story in Full!...

Growing up, I always struggled with my chest, unsure of what my problem was. Doctors always put me down as asthmatic. Back in 2018, my mum had heard of a charity called CRY who were doing free screenings across the UK for those aged 14-35, which we decided to apply for.

Following on from my screening day, I was informed that the findings were very unique and something that they'd never seen before. This said, I was invited to London where CRY is based. This was for both personal and research reasons. CRY was able to investigate me further with multiple tests to find an understanding of my condition and inform me of procedures that could help monitor my heart condition while also gaining research regarding cardiology.

With my condition being rare, it was narrowed down to a possibility of 2 things (both requiring the same procedure). My heart condition is said to be a probable concealed accessory pathway, as well as having an enlarged heart. Not long after the diagnosis, I went for surgery to remove a trigger causing palpitations, unfortunately, as with all heart operations, there were risks in place; a 1/200 of the chance I'd have to have a pacemaker, a 1/2000 chance of a stroke. During the operation, the risks became too high, with my heart rate reaching 300 beats per minute, and the operation was stopped halfway through. From that day, I've been supported and checked up on annually and taking medication.

Long story short, my physical health would be nowhere near as good as it is now had I not gone for the first initial screening in 2018. My palpitations prior to my screening with CRY prevented me from all sports and activities which resulted in an increase in adrenaline.

With your donation, CRY can reduce the frequency of young sudden cardiac death (YSCD) by working with cardiologists and family doctors to establish good practice and appropriate screening facilities to promote and protect the cardiac health of our young.

By supporting CRY you will help save young lives from these potentially fatal cardiac conditions.

See how your support can help by visiting www.c-r-y.org.uk