Heart screenings offered at Cambridge Uni in honour of student who died on her year abroad

Heart screenings are being offered to students at the University of Cambridge in memory of a student who died on her year abroad.

Clarissa Nicholls was a third year student at Trinity Hall College studying French and Italian, when she collapsed and passed away in France whilst hiking in May 2023 at the age of just 20.

In her memory, the group Clarissa’s Campaign for Cambridge Hearts was set up by Cambridge students Izzy Winter and Jess Reeves.

And it’s Clarissa’s Campaign for Cambridge Hearts, alongside the charity Cardiac Risk in the Young who are offering heart screenings to Cambridge students.

Clarissa’s passing was caused by undiagnosed arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy, a heart condition which can lead to a sudden cardiac arrest. This is one of the many conditions that can be spotted during heart screenings.

Following Clarissa’s passing, fellow Trinity Hall students Izzy and Jess set up a GoFundMe campaign, with the aim of raising £7000, enough to cover one day of ECG screening for 100 students.

To date, the campaign has raised over £55,000, with a new goal of £56,000 to cover an eight-day screening service, with four sessions to be offered across the 2024/25 academic year.

The first screenings took place on 15th and 16th October in the University Sports Centre, offering screenings to up to 200 students. The campaign plan to offer their next screening days in January.

Clarissa’s mum Hilary Nicholls told the BBC that Clarissa has “some amazing friends”, adding: “I am sure she would have been very proud of the legacy she has given to the university, and very proud of her friends for having turned this tragedy around into something that is actually positive.”

If you would like to contribute to the campaign, you can donate to the GoFundMe here.

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Featured image via SWNS.