A pioneering screening programme to identify undiagnosed heart conditions in the young, in memory of a Rugby man, was attended by 105 young people when – potentially saving three more lives.
The event, run by CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young), returned to Sutton Coldfield Football Club on Sunday (June 14th) following a grant by Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust and fundraising by friends and family of Anthony Lane, who died suddenly of cardiac arrest aged just 26.
The screening day, hosted by Sutton Coldfield Town FC, is the third in what it is hoped will be of many for the area, thanks to Rotary grants and fundraising campaigns headed up by Paul.
As well as Anthony’s family and friends, the day was attended by Sutton Coldfield MP Rt Hon Sir Andrew Mitchell and Mayor of Royal Sutton Coldfield, Cllr Nitish Raut and Cllr Clare Horrocks and was organised by Rotary Club of Wylde Green.
It is a project particularly personal to Anthony’s father – and Rotary Club President Paul Lane, from Lichfield.
Paul said: “We screened 105 young people and three were referred for further investigations, so a great result. As ever, we are indebted to our sponsors; the Rotary Club of Wylde Green, Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust and family and friends as well as Ant’s former colleagues from Mercedes at Brixworth. Together with so many bereaved parents that we meet through CRY, we strive to continue publicising this issue and hope one day a national screening programme is introduced.”
He added: “One Saturday morning in October 2022 Anthony was on his turbo trainer bike at home, exercising alone. His partner returned home after shopping to find him unresponsive on the floor. West Midlands Ambulance Service and the Air Ambulance attended but unfortunately Anthony had already passed away.
“It is believed that Anthony had an undiagnosed heart condition, from which he had no symptoms. This led us to CRY and we learned more about the research they’re doing and their lobbying of politicians to try and get the UK government to test young people between the ages of 14 and 35.”
The first two screenings in 2024 and 2025 tested 193 young people aged between 14 and 35, eight of whom were referred for further tests so potentially saving their lives.
CRY works to prevent young sudden cardiac deaths through awareness, screening and research and supporting affected families – something for which past president Paul Lane and his family have been very grateful.
Dr Steven Cox, CEO of Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY), said: “Our screening team was so pleased to return to Sutton Coldfield again, thanks to the incredible and tireless fundraising and awareness work carried out by Paul and Penny Lane, in memory of their son Anthony.
“Here, at CRY, we never underestimate the courage and strength it takes for bereaved families to see beyond their own devastating grief and to do all they can to prevent another family or individual from ever having to endure a similar tragedy. With the support of the Wylde Green Rotary Club – these regional events in the West Midlands are clearly having a real impact and I’d like to express my thanks to all those involved in making them happen.”
Every week in the UK, around 12 young people, between ages of 14 and 35, die suddenly from a previously undiagnosed heart condition. 80% of these deaths will occur with no prior symptoms.
CRY uses a very simple, effective and non-invasive way of diagnosing most cardiac abnormalities. It is a quick, painless and affordable procedure called an electrocardiogram (ECG), which is reviewed by a consultant cardiologist. If a young person is found to have an abnormality, CRY will also then carry out an Echocardiogram screening (ultrasound) and ongoing, more in-depth investigations, as necessary.
For the seemingly fit and healthy young people (aged 35 and under) who die suddenly from a previously undiagnosed heart condition, 80% will have had no warning signs, until it was too late. One in every 300 people of those tested by CRY will be identified with a potentially life-threatening condition.
Each screening session relies on £6,800 of funding per day and involves using a medical history questionnaire and electrocardiogram (ECG) to identify risks.
There is enough money to fund at least a further five annual screening sessions in the town each at a cost of £7000, in part thanks to Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust who have pledged £19,500 over the last three years.
Meanwhile a date has already also been set for the fourth screening day in Sutton Coldfield, on 13th June 2027. Recent screening days were also held in Uttoxeter where Anthony used to go to school.