Mother of marathon runner who died pushes cardiac screening for Irish teens
Violet Cassidy is campaigning for heart-screening of teenagers after her daughter Ellen died from Sudden Adult Death Syndrome following a Cork half-marathon.
Ellen Cassidy, a former student of St Angela’s College and a graduate of University College Cork, collapsed during the Cork City Half-Marathon on 1 June 2025 and died at Cork University Hospital from Sudden Adult Death Syndrome, a condition that can affect up to one in 300 people silently. Her mother, Violet Cassidy, is now backing a “Pledge a Heart Test” appeal that aims to screen 500 teenagers at the college, with each €100 contribution covering one test.
Principal Pat Curran and student leaders, including head girl Maggie O’Sullivan and deputy head Catherine Murphy, say the initiative could identify hidden heart defects and potentially save lives. The campaign follows the Cassidys’ earlier fundraising efforts, which have raised over €40,000 for various charities. Health experts note that early detection of cardiac rhythm abnormalities can prevent sudden deaths, especially among active youths.
Why it matters
Early heart screening can prevent sudden deaths in young athletes, a risk highlighted by Ellen Cassidy’s tragedy.
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