St Angela's launches heart screening fundraiser

St Angela’s College has launched a fundraising campaign to provude every student at the school a cardiac health screening.

Pledge a Heart Test is being launched in memory of Ellen Cassidy, a past pupil of the school who died suddenly last year from Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS), while completing the Cork City Marathon.

Ellen’s family, led by her mother Violet Cassidy, have come on board as patrons of the campaign. They said that they are determined that her story will prompt other young people to be screened.

Violet said: “Nothing will ever bring Ellen back to us. No campaign, no screening programme and no amount of money can return our beautiful Ellen to us, a beloved daughter, sister, girlfriend, colleague and cherished friend whose smile, laughter, energy and love filled every room she entered.

“But if sharing Ellen's story encourages even one girl to be checked and gives even one family the chance to hold on to their daughter, then something meaningful can grow from the heartbreak we carry each day,” she said.

Parents are being asked to pledge €100 for their own daughter’s test, while friends, family, past pupils, and local businesses are invited to pledge a heart test for a student whose family might not be able to. The aim is that no student misses out because of cost.

St Angela’s hopes that the campaign will inspire other schools, and parents everywhere, to consider cardiac screening for their own students.

Every euro raised goes directly towards screening. Everyone in the wider community is encouraged to get involved, with each donation lighting up a heart on a dynamic physical Heart all display erected in the school.