South Mayo community responds to cardiac screening programme
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From left: Megan Charles, Councillor Richard Finn, Donna Cassidy (Claremorris South Responder Group chairperson), Jennifer Charles, Tony McGing (first responder) and Orla Sweeney (responder group secretary). PicasaImage 2 of 5
Dan and Hazel Quirke with Ashling McGahon (EMT, Claremorris South Responder Group), Donna Cassidy (responder group hairperson), John McShane (community engagement officer with the National Ambulance Service) and Tony McGing (first responder). PicasaImage 3 of 5
Claremorris GAA Club and Claremorris First Responder Group members with Dan and Hazel Quirke of the Dillon Quirke Foundation at the screening event. PicasaImage 4 of 5
Claremorris GAA treasurer Mark Jordan presenting a cheque for €8,820 to Hazel and Dan Quirke of the Dillon Quirke Foundation. PicasaImage 5 of 5
Donna Cassidy, chairperson of Claremorris South Responders Group, receiving a presentation of appreciation from Claremorris Bord na nÓg chairperson John Comer. PicasaCLAREMORRIS South Responder Group teamed up with the Dillon Quirke Foundation and Claremorris GAA Club to cardiac screen 185 young people aged between 12 and 18 in Claremorris. This is the highest number of young people ever screened in Ireland.
This screening is free of charge with thanks to the Dillon Quirke Foundation.
The 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.
The interest and uptake in the town was massive. Within 12 hours of going live, 142 families had registered for the screening, which took place from August 6 to 9 at Claremorris GAA Club.
During that week, Claremorris Responder Group and Claremorris GAA Club held an appreciation day, with Dan and Hazel Quirke (Dillon's parents) coming to Claremorris, which actually coincided with the second anniversary of Dillon’s death. Community engagement officer John McShane from the National Ambulance Service joined with them on the day together with some Mayo senior football players and political representatives.
“On average, 100 young people die in Ireland each year because of Sudden Adult Death Syndrome. Many of these deaths could be prevented by identifying heart conditions at an early stage through cardiac screening.
“Our community wish to promote the amazing work the Dillon Quirke Foundation is doing which could in fact save one of our young people. This is about our community and clubs working together for our young people,” said Donna Cassidy, chairperson of the Claremorris South Responders Group.
“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,” commented Dan Quirke.
“Claremorris GAA Club were delighted to come on board with Claremorris South Responders Group to host the cardiac screening for young people. We are very fortunate to have such great sports facilities in Claremorris which makes the cardiac screening so important,” said Martin Cosgrove, Claremorris GAA Club Bord na nÓg.