Screening Programme Finds 1 in 300 Teenagers Has Undiagnosed Heart Condition

Our latest data from the Dillon Quirke Foundation’s cardiac screening programme is reinforcing the life saving importance of early heart screening for young people in sport.

New findings from our cardiac screening programme show that 1 in every 300 teenagers screened has a serious cardiac condition that was previously undiagnosed. These findings come from the more than 20,000 young people who have now been screened through the our programme since it began.

So far, 586 young people have been referred for follow-up cardiology tests, and a number of serious issues have already been detected and treated. These statistics are in line with international findings in countries where screening programmes for young athletes are in place, and they demonstrate the real and immediate impact of early detection. Through timely screening and appropriate follow-up care, young lives are being protected.

Against this backdrop, our Founder Dan Quirke and Head of Foundation Becky Bristow met with the Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD, in Dublin to discuss the life-saving work of the Foundation and the urgent need for Government-supported cardiac screening for young people involved in sport across Ireland.

The meeting was facilitated by Senator Mike Kennelly and Councillor Aoife Kennelly, whose ongoing support for the Foundation we are deeply grateful for.

During the meeting, we outlined the scale of the work achieved to date. Since its establishment following the tragic passing of Dillon in August 2022, the Foundation has partnered with sports clubs across every county in Ireland, delivering cardiac screening to young athletes involved in GAA, soccer, rugby, cycling and many other sports.

Speaking after the meeting, Dan said:

"Our ambition has always been clear: that every young person in this country should have access to screening for their heart. Our meeting with Minister Carroll MacNeill was an important step in making that vision a reality. We are grateful to the Minister for taking the time to hear about the scale of the work we have done to date and the case for a nationally supported cardiac screening programme for young athletes. Her understanding of the issue and willingness to listen and share her knowledge gave us great confidence that our message is being heard at the highest levels. We are also hugely grateful to Senator Mike Kennelly for his ongoing support for our work."

At the heart of everything we do is a simple but urgent goal: to increase awareness of Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS) and the life-saving potential of early cardiac screening.

On average, SADS claims around 100 young lives in Ireland every year. Many of these tragedies could potentially be prevented through early detection. We want every parent of a young person involved in sport to know that screening can identify hidden heart conditions and that a simple test could make all the difference.

Yesterday’s meeting with the Minister for Health was an important and hopeful milestone on that journey. We remain committed to expanding our screening programme while continuing to advocate for a national solution that ensures every young athlete in Ireland has access to cardiac screening.

As always, none of this work would be possible without the continued support of our incredible donors, partner clubs, volunteers and communities who continue to champion Dillon’s legacy.

Thank you for walking this road with us.