SADS Awareness Week will take place from 2-8 October 2023 and is organised by Leicestershire based heart charity The Joe Humphries Memorial Trust (JHMT) in collaboration with University Hospitals Leicester NHS Trust.

The JHMT was set up after the death of Rothley teenager Joe Humphries in October 2012. Joe died from SADS while out on a training jog near his home. SADS stands for sudden arrhythmic death syndrome, a collective term for a group of deadly genetic heart conditions which cause a disturbance with the heart rhythm and can lead to sudden cardiac arrest.

Every year during the week of the anniversary of Joe's untimely death, JHMT hold the annual SADS Awareness Week to remind and educate healthcare professionals, sports-related professionals and parents and carers of young people about the dangers of undiagnosed heart conditions like SADS. Every week in the UK, 12 young people (12-35 years old) die due to undiagnosed genetic heart conditions like SADS.

During the week, pertinent issues in relation to sudden cardiac death and SADS prevention in the young will take place across Leicestershire and displayed across various digital platforms.

To launch the week, on Monday 2 October, will highlight the Heartshield city project work carried out by JHMT, the public health team at Leicester City Council and East Midlands Ambulance Service to identify the current locations of defibrillators across the city and provide a better distribution of devices which are accessible 24/7 in case of a cardiac emergency.

On Tuesday 3 October, the spotlight is on the importance of cardiovascular safety in sport with the award-winning UK coaching e-learning module and its impact on the training of coaches across the country as first responders. The toolkit, funded by Sport England was developed in 2021 in collaboration with The Joe Humphries Memorial Trust, Resuscitation Council and St John Ambulance.

This also includes news on a AED flag initiative led by Marijke van Eerd, one of JHMT's community trainers which hopefully will become part of the standard of cardiovascular safety care across all UK sports.

On Wednesday 4 October, the day is dedicated to highlighting the partnership between the JHMT and University Hospitals of Leicester. This includes an updated on recent developments within the inherited cardiac conditions (ICC) service with by JHMT funding the first ICC specialist nurse in UHL.

In addition, Dr Steve Mears (Senior Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Nutrition, Loughborough University) once again reminds us of the importance of why exercise is so important for us all!

On Thursday 5th October, the SADS in sport talk & 'hands on' lifesaving training to students on the Talented Athletes Scholarship Scheme (TASS) will take place at Loughborough College.

On Friday 6th October, we once again highlight the importance of cardiovascular safety in schools. This year, we highlight the work carried out by Market Bosworth School who have taken steps to create a heartsafe environment both inside and outside the school's premises including working with JHMT's lead trainer Alan White who has been delivering a series of lifesaving training sessions for both students and staff on CPR and knowing how to use a Defibrillator.

In addition, during the week, there will be community events with Joe's Mini Heart -Start For Sports Clubs CPR and AED familiarization training CPR at several community sporting locations across the county and city and to complete SADS Awareness Week, the popular annual Joe's Bike Ride! will take place on Sunday 8 October from Rothley.

Dr Harshil Dhutia, Consultant Cardiologist and specialist in inherited cardiac conditions, Glenfield Hospital, University Hospitals of Leicester and Medical lead for JHMT said: "On behalf of the Joe Humphries Memorial Trust, ( JHMT) I would like to welcome you all to SADS awareness week 2023. This week marks the 11th anniversary of the untimely death of teenager Joe Humphries due to SADS in 2012.

The focus of the JHMT SADS awareness week is to remind and educate healthcare professionals, sports-related professionals and parents and carers of young people about the dangers of undiagnosed heart conditions like SADS. During the week, several education and training activities pertinent to sudden cardiac death and SADS prevention in the young will take place across Leicestershire and displayed across various digital platforms.

"We have several exciting events planned, including in person CPR and AED training events at Loughborough College and Bosworth school. SADS awareness week will also showcase the collaboration between JHMT and Leicester city council as part of the Heartshield public health project to ensure equitable access to AED/CPR across Leicestershire. We will also provide an update on award winning UK coaching training module , launched in 2021 aiming to training coaches at all levels of sport as first responders in the event of cardiac arrest.

This year JHMT extended their partnership with University Hospitals of Leicester NHS trust by funding the first inherited cardiac conditions (ICC) nurse in the region. Chloe Ferguson is a welcome addition to the ICC team that continues to provide care for patients with ICCs and their families. We hear from the ICC team on what they do and who would benefit from their service, and we also hope to have patient participation!

"We look forward to your participation in the week and thank you for your continued support."

As well as providing free CPR and defibrillator training, the JHMT works hard to raise awareness of sudden heart deaths, helps to provide community defibrillators and runs Inspire, a local grants scheme for inspirational young people , 13 – 21 year's old - https://www.jhmt.org.uk/inspire

To find out more about the JHMT and its work, visit www.jhmt.org.uk

You can also follow SADS Awareness Week events and activities on Facebook and Twitter: facebook.com/jhmtorguk or @jhmt.org.uk

and on the JHMT website at https://www.jhmt.org.uk/sads-week-2023

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