SADS UK Charity. Sudden Arrhythmic Death

About Us

The cardiac charity SADS UK aims to save lives, providing information, funding research and medical equipment to prevent premature sudden cardiac death. Working in the areas of Research, Prevention and Emergency Care lives have been saved as a direct result of the work of SADS UK. SADS UK holds the Annual National Lifesaver Awards to honour people who have saved lives in the community using CPR and the defibrillator.

DEFIBRILLATORS

The Automated External Defibrillator (AED) has developed over the years. Years ago only medics could use a defibrillator in a cardiac arrest emergency, now anyone can use this lifesaving equipment. Administering CPR and the defibrillator is the most powerful combination in saving life and the earlier it is applied the better the chance is of a person surviving cardiac arrest.For every minute that passes without defibrillation the chances of survival diminish by 10%.

MEDICAL

SADS UK works with major Heart Hospitals around the country, providing funding for projects that deepen the understanding of cardiac arrhythmia and genetic conditions that can cause SADS, sudden cardiac death. The aim is to prevent tragic premature death and provide important information to better identify and treat individuals and families at risk.

GET INVOLVED

The energy and commitment of members and supporters is inspirational as they take on all sorts of fundraising events, from coffee mornings and cheese and wine evenings to families getting together to do the Big Fun Run or arranging a gig, charity night or a quiz at their local pub. Whether you prefer the adrenaline rush of a Skydive, the challenge of running a marathon, or a coffee morning with friends, SADS UK has a lot of fundraising ideas and events to suit all ages and abilities.

REMEMBRANCE

SADS UK welcomes stories from members about their experiences, loss, grief and how SADS, sudden cardiac death has affected them. Sharing our stories with others can be healing and many people benefit from knowing they are not alone in suffering a loss. With a sudden loss there is just no time to mentally prepare for what life would be like without a loved one in it. While it may be incredibly painful, we need to take time to reconcile in our minds what has happened, to try to make sense of something that seems to makes no sense. People need to be given an opportunity to talk about their loved one and assimilate what has happened, to speak or write about their unbelievable and devastating loss.

SUPPORT

Bleed kits

There have been horrendous stories about stabbings in London and other cities; most recently a young boy Alfie Lewis sadly died after being stabbed in Leeds.

SADS UK have Bleed Kits which are available to go into the SADS UK cabinet, together with defibrillator. The Bleed Kit is also available separately for purchase, the bleed kits are for severe bleeding, as in a stabbing or traumatic accident causing chaotic bleeding.

Abolishing VAT on defibs

During September and Shoctober, the cardiac charity SADS UK is doubling down on our plea to Government to abolish VAT on defibrillators, enabling wider access to defibrillators and consequently saving more lives. Contact SADS UK if you would be happy to speak with the media. Supporting the BHTA - SADS UK, members and supporters are writing to their MPs urging their support for defibrillators to be VAT exempt. SADS UK will provide a template letter and to help you get your story to your local MP. Email: [email protected] Read More

Candle ceremony

When a child leaves this life early, the grief can be overwhelming on a level unequaled by any other human tragedy. Regardless of the child’s age, the journey through grief that parents, grandparents, and siblings must endure is a difficult road to travel.

Bringing grieving parents, grandparents, and siblings together by the simple lighting of a candle creates a moment of still and calm as we focus on the flame of the candle gently burning, creating a feeling of inner peace.

The experience of lighting a candle in remembrance of a child is a ritual that many find helpful as they focus on the beauty of a departed child’s spirit.

SADS virtual conference

Thanks to supporters who contacted SADS UK for a recording of the SADS Virtual Conference, UK and Europe 2023

Virtual SADS Conference. The link is here:-

https://youtu.be/T5mSpwP782o

Bev Brown skydiving fundraiser

Enormous thanks go to Bev Brown for undertaking a tandem skydive in memory of her brother Luke Organ. You can take part in a similar event by contacting Skyline events to let them know you would like to support SADS UK. email [email protected] Read More

3 peaks mountain climb

Enormous thanks go to Mikey and Joe who climbed the Three Peaks in their Stride to STOP SADS. A fantastic challenge and very proud moment as they reach their final peak!

Stride for SADS UK

What a fantastic day we had for the SADS UK Stride to STOP SADS walk around the Serpentine in Hyde Park. Lisa said, it was a great day, I met with other Mum's and parents who'd lost children to SADS. It was good to speak with them, the 19^th May 2024 is already a firm date in my diary.

Sads UK at Portcullis House

Associate Members of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for defibrillators meeting at Portcullis House. SADS UK give evidence. Photographed together with the Resuscitation Council (UK).

Dr Hilary Jones on mastermind

SADS UK were proud of our Patron Dr Hilary Jones MBE who took to the Black Chair of Mastermind. Representing SADS UK on his Specialist Subject on Saturday he was quizzed by the one and only Clive Myrie. Dr Jones got every question right on The Discovery of Penicillin.

Stride with sads uk

When we walk and talk together amazing things happen!

Sammy Holland marathon

SADS UK London Marathon runners are doing well; Sammy Holland has been amazing, recently taking up a place after a runner needed to withdraw due to ill health. Sammy is really smashing it!

Rob Gundry London marathon

SADS UK London Marathon runners are doing well; Rob Gundry is an inspiration to all, living with a cardiac condition and an internal defibrillator he has really racked up the miles and sponsorship.