A charity set up to prevent the occurrence of sudden adult death syndrome (SADS) has teamed up with Cycling Ireland to provide potentially life-saving cardiac screening. The Dillon Quirke Foundation launched the initiative with young cycling athletes from Munster invites to a screening clinic in Killarney, Co Kerry earlier this month. Each year around 100 lives are lost to SADS in Ireland. Established by his family after the death of Dillon Quirke, aged just 24, in 2022, the foundation aims to support the funding of widespread cardiac screening for young people aged 12-18 in Ireland. The screening programme funded by the Dillon Quirke Foundation is delivered by Advanced Medical Services and offers cardiac screening in sports clubs nationwide. “Since starting the Foundation, we’ve seen remarkable progress in the level of cardiac screening across GAA, soccer, rugby, boxing and performing arts and sports clubs nationwide,” said Dan Quirke, father of Dillon and founder of the charity in his name. “We are committed to broadening our reach and expertise across more clubs and sporting bodies and expanding into the cycling community marks a crucial step in raising awareness of the prevalence of SADS and the serious heart conditions that often go undetected.”