BOON SUPPORTS SADS CONFERENCE Tim Boon, the former Leicestershire batsman and coach, is supporting a conference to raise awareness of Sudden Arryhthmic Death Syndrome. The conference, which takes place on October 2 (9am to 5pm) has been organised by the Joe Humphries Memorial Trust which was set up following the sudden death of 14-year-old Joe, the son of former Leicester City goalkeeper Steve, who collapsed and died while out jogging in 2012. Boon, now an England Development Programme coach based at Loughborough, is a friend of Steve Humphries, and supports the JHMT . He has already helped to raise awareness of SADS by running a CPR – cardiopulmonary resuscitation – course for England Under-19 cricketers last year. The JHMT campaigns for a better understanding of sudden, unexpected death in young people, and for compulsory CPR training in schools and defibrillators in schools, community venues and sports clubs. Martin Johnson, England’s Rugby World Cup-winning captain of 2003, will open the third annual SADS conference as a patron of the JHMT. Online booking is now open for the conference. The event falls on the eve of the festival of rugby week in the city, when three Rugby World Cup group 2015 matches take place at the LCFC King Power stadium. SADS is part of a group of subtle heart diseases that claim the lives of 12 teenagers and young adults, aged 12-35, every week in the UK. Some conditions causing SADS affect whole families. This year, for the first time, the conference has extended its scope to reach a wider audience. As well as inviting healthcare professionals such as doctors, nurses and paramedics to come along and find out more about SADS, conference organisers are extending the invitation to sports coaches, teachers, community nurses, physios and youth leaders. The conference has been tailored to allow flexible attendance – delegates can choose to take part in a morning session, an afternoon session, or attend all day. Pricing has also been arranged flexibly to make the conference as accessible as possible. Registration fees start from £ 10 for an afternoon session for a student. An all-day place will cost a maximum of £ 65. Workshops included in the conference programme cover topics such as ECG recognition, screening for families, bereavement and family support, and how to spot the warning signs of SADS. There will also be a simulated scene of someone collapsing with SADS to evaluate responses. To kick off the sports session in the afternoon, a sports ‘question time’ with a panel of cardiology specialists will open up the debate and invite members of the audience to ask questions on the topic of screening young people in sport. Guest speakers will include Dr Graham Stuart, a cardiologist from Bristol and Dr Rajay Narain, a cardiologist from London, as well as Dr Kal Parmar, a sports specialist from London. Online booking is now open. To book a place, please apply online at http://jhmt.org.uk/events For all enquiries, please contact Vicky Wills, fundraising and events co-ordinator, on vickywills.jhmt@hotmail.co.uk {{ak_sharing}}
