SINCE the death of her only son six years ago, Deborah Dixon has vowed to keep Aaron’s memory alive by funding screening days to try to prevent another tragedy.

As the Cheshire representative for Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY), Deborah has organised 14 screening days where 1,448 young people have been assessed – 61 of those has been referred for a full cardiac evaluation.

“I took early retirement around a month ago to concentrate on getting people screened,” said Deborah, who previously worked in sales and marketing.

“I have had more than 60 referrals from my screening days. It’s scary really.

“You don’t find out what happens to all the referrals due to data protection but I have had a few people contact me.

“There is one person and she is now on the heart transplant list as she had a serious problem which was undiagnosed.”

Deborah and her husband Gary’s lives changed forever on September 4, 2011.

“I cannot forget Gary’s screams the moment he found Aaron in his bedroom,” said Deborah.

“I remember running up the stairs and into Aaron’s bedroom, grabbing the phone and dialling 999.

“I remember speaking to someone but I couldn’t remember our address and then the phone being taken from me by our friend. I remember the paramedic kneeling down and saying ‘I’m so sorry’.

“I remember wanting to slap him and say it wasn’t true and punch him for not saving Aaron. After that I really don’t remember much at all.”

Two months after Aaron’s death at the age of 23, the cause of death was identified as ARVC – a genetic heart defect.

“As parents we bring children into this world and our job is to love and protect them,” she said.

“I couldn’t protect Aaron from something I knew nothing about and that is why I am driven to try to save as many young people as I possibly can.

“My life will never be the same again but I get up each day because I was also blessed with a beautiful daughter Hollie.”

Last month, the Warrington Guardian launched a campaign to help prevent more families from suffering the heartache of sudden cardiac death.

Every week in the UK, around 12 young people under the age of 35 die suddenly from a previously undiagnosed heart condition.

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