If their efforts save just one life, that will be enough for the family of Claire Reed.
A second screening event for the rare heart condition which claimed the life of 22-year-old Claire saw more than 200 people checked out.
Organised by her family, they hope to prevent other families losing a loved one to Sudden Adult Death Syndrome. And Claire’s father and Botley Parish councillor Graham Hunter has revealed that their first screening session in September last year led to four people being referred for tests.
One of those people is now confirmed to have a condition that needs further investigation.
The session at Fleming Park Leisure Centre, in Eastleigh, which took place at the weekend, was the second in a series of screening events in Claire’s name using the £30,000 raised to honour her memory.
This will fund a total of eight screening events, but the family are continuing to fundraise.
Around 20 of those tested are being referred for further tests.
As previously reported, Claire collapsed six months ago while celebrating at a friend’s hen do in Taunton, Somerset, last March.
A coroner ruled the 22-year-old Eastleigh accountant died from Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS).
The rare heart condition claims 12 young people each day. Cllr Hunter, 60, of Salway Road, Botley, and other family members, including her husband of only five months Andy Reed, were involved in organising the screenings in collaboration with charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY).
He said that along with those that had signed up in advance, including people from as far as Yorkshire and Wales, the screening had also attracted people on the day. The family are pushing for greater awareness of the condition, more defibrillators to be installed at public locations and for national screening to be brought in for 14 to 35-year-olds.
Cllr Hunter said: “The screenings are so immensely important.
“If we can save one life that’s fantastic.
“Claire would have been over the moon [with what we’re doing] – she was a pro-active lady.
“She was always conscious of her health and wellbeing.
“She would have been amazed and in total support of what we’re doing.”
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