Investigating sudden deaths

Finding the answers

St George’s has established itself as the UK’s primary site for investigating deaths in the young caused by sudden cardiac arrests. Led by Professor Elijah Behr, Professor Mary Sheppard and Professor Sanjay Sharma, a team of cardiology and pathology researchers at the University has identified underlying genetic causes of sudden deaths and established a programme to screen families so they can receive a diagnosis and take preventive measures if needed.

Thanks to the team’s research, more cases of sudden death can now be accurately identified than ever before, with 40% of families now receiving a specific diagnosis, screening and management to prevent further deaths.

How donations make a difference

Donations to support St George’s research in to sudden cardiac deaths provide an invaluable source of funding. As a result of the pandemic, a number of our key funding sources have been stopped or reduced. Donations, big or small, will allow new projects to be created, new training opportunities to be offered to researchers and potentially new academic positions to be established. Each donation will support us to more deeply understand the causes of sudden deaths and protect families in the future.

Your impact

By supporting our research in to sudden cardiac death, you will be driving forwards our efforts to prevent further deaths, bringing hope and understanding to patients and their families. 

“We were on a skiing holiday in Canada when Robert had a cardiac arrest. He was 21, bright, sporty, with so many opportunities ahead of him. At first, we wanted to understand why he had died and this eventually led us to Professor Behr. Now, by funding PhD students in Professor Behr’s group, we are able to see first-hand the advances in understanding of Brugada Syndrome (a genetic disorder that can cause sudden death). Our investment in these fearsomely brilliant young people will hopefully mean that we are able to multiply the effect of Professor Behr’s research, which will in turn attract bigger grants. Ultimately, our focus is on looking forwards, in the hope that we will be able to help somebody else’s child, so that one day it will be possible to diagnose & treat Brugada Syndrome as quickly and efficiently as any other heart problem.”

James and Margaret Lancaster

Any questions?

If you have any other questions or queries about how your donation can support research efforts into sudden cardiac deaths at St George's email us as giving@sgul.ac.uk.