Lifesaving cardiac screenings hosted on university campus

On Wednesday 27^th and Thursday 28^th August, in partnership with the Lincoln City Foundation and the charity, Cardiac Risk in the Young, Lincoln Bishop University hosted on campus cardiac screenings in memory of Mark Harper, organised and fundraised by his family. 

The purpose of the event was to provide free cardiac screenings for individuals aged 14 -35, in order to potentially identify undiagnosed heart conditions. 

Hosted across two days, 200 available places were fully booked, with even more people on the waiting list. 

Dr Dimitra Maritsa assisted with the cardiac screenings taking place on campus. She said: “The screenings are designed to identify young individuals who are at high risk of having a sudden cardiac arrest. The screening of each individual provides them with an ECT, a family history assessment and symptom assessment. 

“At this time, the screenings are only offered by charities and not available via the NHS.” 

The event was hosted in memory of Mike Harper, who grew up in Lincoln, and sadly died on 19^th May 2024 after collapsing during the Great Bristol Run from a cardiac arrest.

The screenings were organised by Mike’s family, in collaboration with the charity Cardiac Risk in the Young. 

Mike’s father, Roy, shared some more about his son: “Well, where do we start! Mike was a fit, kind, inclusive young man, living his best life in his twenties. 

“As parents the last thing we ever thought of was that he was at risk. With what we now know, despite having no symptoms and being the fittest person in our family, Mike had a problem with his heart. 

“We have now learnt that cardiac screenings can identify about 90% of conditions.” 

Fiona, Mike’s sister, described more about the screenings: “These screenings are funded by families that are bereaved, and my parents have worked really hard alongside Mike’s friends and family to be able to fund this. 

“I think it is incredibly important. If we can get even one person screened, they will be better off than we were and that’s what we’re trying to achieve! 

Allison Webb, Director of Business and Community Engagement said: “When we learned that Roy and Tracy Harper were planning a screening event in partnership with Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY), we were delighted to host the two-day event on our university campus. 

“The event has been exceptionally well organised by Roy, Tracy and the CRY team, and serves as both an important community initiative and a fitting tribute to Mike.”

To find out more about Cardiac Risk in the Young, please click here! 

To listen to the complete interview with Mike’s family, please click here!