A MUM whose son died suddenly from cardiac arrest is helping to save the lives of young people.
Debbie Dixon set up a memorial fund after losing her 23-year-old son, Aaron.
Knutsford Community First Responder Trust held a cardiac screening day at Knutsford Academy funded by the Aaron James Dixon Memorial Fund in partnership with Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY).
Some 90 pupils were given an ECG and ultrasound to detect any undiagnosed cardiac abnormalities.
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Two students were referred to hospital for further investigation.
Debbie said: "I want to keep Aaron's memory alive. No parents should have to go through the loss of their child.
A heart screening day checked 90 students at Knutsford Academy for undiagnosed cardiac abnormalities
"Aaron was admitted to hospital on two occasions and we were told the reason for his blacking out was due to dehydration.
"He was never given an ECG, he may be here today if he had."
The cardiac screening programme was launched six years ago by the trust and has now resumed after being postponed during the pandemic.
Two sessions are held every year, one for schoolchildren and another for members of the public.
Deborah Dixon, fifth from left on the back row, at a cardiac screening at Knutsford Academy in 2018
Adrian Rees, vice chairman of the trust, said: "Every week 12 young adults die from undiagnosed cardiac failures.
"Earlier tests as conducted at our screening day could well have saved all these lives.
"These tests are able to pick up any potential problems in young adults.
"Our team are then able to refer them to a local cardiac consultant a the hospital to conduct a full analysis of the problem.
Former Knutsford Academy student Jacob Brindle being screened in 2018
"Hopefully, they can organise treatment before the cardiac abnormality becomes fatal as seen in the recent European cup when Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen suffered a near fatal cardiac arrest."
Each screening day costs around £5,000.
James Routs, director of marketing and operations at the Knutsford Academy: "A huge thank you to everyone at Knutsford Community First Responders for all your help, support and generosity in delivering another successful heart screening day.
"It is hugely appreciated what you do to support such an important day for the Academy and our students."
To donate to the Aaron Dixon Memorial Fund visit c-r-y.org.uk/aaron-dixon
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