Press Release - Dillon Quirke Foundation screens over 7,000 young people within first year

Charity releases impact statistics to mark Dillon Quirke’s second anniversary.

The Dillon Quirke Foundation – the charity established to reduce the numbers of young people dying from Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS) – announced today (01.08.24) that it has provided cardiac screening for over 7,000 young people so far this year. Screenings have been conducted in every county in Ireland in partnership with 161 sports clubs, including GAA, soccer, rugby, boxing and performing arts clubs.

The Dillon Quirke Foundation was established by the family of Tipperary hurler Dillon Quirke, who collapsed and died during a hurling match at Semple Stadium in August 2022. The Foundation’s aims are to promote awareness of the importance of cardiac screening in preventing SADs and to provide cardiac screening opportunities for young people nationwide, working in partnership with Advanced Medical Services (AMS), a provider of onsite medical services.

This weekend, the Quirke family will mark Dillon’s second anniversary. Commenting in advance of the anniversary, Dillon’s father, Dan Quirke, said: “At the beginning of 2024, the Dillon Quirke Foundation set the ambitious target of screening at least 10,000 young people this year. With five months left in the year, we are delighted to have reached over 70% of our target already.

“We know these screenings are helping to save lives. They can detect cardiac abnormalities and those affected can receive appropriate medical treatment and support at an early stage. Our whole purpose as a Foundation is to reduce the numbers of young people dying from SADS in Ireland. We want no family to go through the heartbreak we experienced two years ago.”

The impact statistics released by the Dillon Quirke Foundation to coincide with Dillon’s two-year anniversary include the following:

• 7,037 cardiac screenings completed to date in 2024, with all screenings targeted at young people aged 12 to 18.

• Screenings conducted across every county in the Republic of Ireland.

• Screenings run in partnership with 161 clubs across various sporting disciplines.
  

From a representative sample (of 4,916), 2.05% of those screened so far this year (i.e. 101 people) were recommended for follow-up cardiology tests post-screening. The follow-up testing can include echocardiograms, cardiac electrophysiologist reviews, cardiology reviews and stress tests.

“On average, 100 young people die in Ireland each year because of Sudden Adult Death Syndrome,” said Dan Quirke. “Many of these deaths could be prevented by identifying heart conditions at an early stage – before they cause symptoms – through cardiac screening. The screening process is simple, but it makes a huge difference. Already this year, the screening provided through our Foundation has led to over 100 young people becoming aware that they have cardiac issues that they need to get checked out. The quick screening they participated in could very well have saved their lives.

“As we approach Dillon’s second anniversary this weekend, I’d like to thank all of the sporting organisations and local clubs that have supported us in the roll-out of this vital screening programme. The Foundation has created a lasting legacy for Dillon, and it is already having an impact on the lives of young people across Ireland.”

An anniversary mass for Dillon Quirke will be held on Saturday, 3rd August, at 7.30pm in the Church of Jesus Christ Our Saviour, Rossmore, Co. Tipperary. To find out more and to support the Dillon Quirke Foundation, visit www.dillonquirkefoundation.com.

ENDS

Contact: Maedhbh Ní Chumhaill / Sorcha Mac Mahon; Tel: 087-3474307 / 087-7585337;

Email: media@alicepr.com

Note to editors:

Dan Quirke is available for media interviews upon request.