The Dillon Quirke Foundation – the charity established to reduce the numbers of young people dying from Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS) has provided cardiac screening for over 7,000 young people so far this year. Screenings have been conducted in every county in Ireland in partnership with 161 sports clubs across a range of sports.
The Dillon Quirke Foundation was established by the family of Tipperary hurler and Clonoulty Rossmore GAA club member 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).
This weekend, the Quirke family will mark Dillon’s second anniversary. Commenting in advance of the anniversary on August 5th Dillon’s father, Dan Quirke, says: “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.”
The family want to protect other families from the heartbreak they suffered in losing Dillon two years ago when he was aged 24.
From a representative sample of 4,916, 2.05% of those screened so far this year 101 people were recommended for follow-up cardiology tests post-screening. On average, 100 young people die in Ireland each year because of Sudden Adult Death Syndrome.
An anniversary mass for Dillon Quirke will be held on Saturday, 3rd August, at 7.30pm in the Church of Jesus Christ Our Saviour, Rossmore, – further information about the fund can be found on www.dillonquirkefoundation.com.
