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 in the first seven months of this year. Screenings have been conducted in every county in Ireland in partnership with 161 sports clubs, including GAA, soccer, rugby, boxing and performing arts clubs.
The Dillon Quirke 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.
Dillon’s father, Dan Quirke, said: “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.
From a representative sample (of 4,916), 2.05% of those screened so far this year (i.e. 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,” said Dan Quirke. “
Dillon Quirke was 24 when he collapsed during a hurling match and died of Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS) on August 5, 2022 in Semple Stadium, Thurles. Dillon died while aptaining his club, Clonoulty-Rossmore, in a championship match against Kilruane McDonaghs.
The screening programme funded by the Dillon Quirke Foundation is delivered by Advanced Medical Services. It offers cardiac screening in sports clubs nationwide with the aim of reducing incidents of SADS.
