Washington family calling for newborn heel prick test to include inherited cardiac conditions
A Washington mum says her daughter would still be here today if they knew she had an Inherited Cardiac Condition (ICC).
Just weeks after her 20th birthday, Poppy Eagle went upstairs to change into her pyjamas for a cosy family film night at their Washington home.
Tragically, it would be the last time her adoring parents and four siblings would see her alive.
Despite being fit, healthy and full of life, Poppy had an undiagnosed heart condition called Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia (CPVT).
A rare inherited disorder, CPVT can trigger dangerously fast heartbeats, even during everyday activity. In Poppy's case, it caused her heart to suddenly stop pumping blood.
"Poppy was the last person downstairs, which was unusual, so my husband knocked on the door - and there she was," recalled Vicki, a nurse, who attempted CPR.
Paramedics tried seven times to resuscitate her, but it was in vain.
"Poppy had really big dreams, but they weren’t just dreams - she wanted to live them," Vicki added proudly.
"She talked about working in Paris, London and Australia. She earned a place at the London College of Fashion on her portfolio alone.”
"That was taken from her, but she always said: you can't live your life in fear."
Almost two years on from that tragic summer’s day, her family are determined to give her story a happier ending.
A year after climbing Kilimanjaro in Poppy’s memory, a group dubbed the Magnificent Seven – which consists of family and friends - will trek Peru’s iconic Machu Picchu from 22 April.
The group, which includes her doting dad, Peter, and brother, Ollie, hope to raise funds for Poppy's Light Foundation, which raises awareness of inherited heart conditions and supports families affected by Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome, the condition that claimed Poppy’s life.
Beyond fundraising, the family want a lasting legacy for their cherished daughter.
The charity has worked with their former MP, Minister for Public Health and Prevention, Sharon Hodgson, calling for changes that could ultimately save lives.
"Our goal is for inherited cardiac conditions to be added to the conditions screened for in newborns’ heel-prick tests," said Vicki.
"If detected early, they can be managed. Conditions like phenylketonuria (PKU) are already routinely identified.
"Had we known about Poppy’s condition, she would have been put on beta-blockers and her life almost certainly could have been saved."
Even though her life was cut tragically short, Poppy left behind memories that her family will treasure forever.
"As our eldest, she was very much the head girl and a role model," said Vicki.
"Poppy was incredibly creative but never wanted to be the centre of attention. She happily sat on the sidelines, soaking up life.
"She was naturally beautiful, inside and out, and anything she couldn’t do, she found a way to achieve."
Taking on the Inca Trail will be the Magnificent Seven’s way of honouring Poppy’s spirit.
The fundraising goal is £25,000, and the money raised during the trek will help reduce the risk of sudden cardiac death in others through the POPPY Check.
An acronym, the POPPY Check prompts doctors to investigate underlying heart conditions in patients with certain risk factors - such as collapsing during or after exercise, or having a family history of cardiac problems.
For Vicki, these are all red flags that should trigger further investigation in otherwise young and healthy people like her daughter.
To date, Poppy's Light Foundation has raised over £157,000. The family hope it will make a tangible difference in the North East and beyond.
"We all believe we will be together again, but we feel she’s with us every day," Vicki said.
"We know she’s pushing us to achieve great things so other families don’t face the loss we have. If we had a magic wand, we’d make sure this never happened to another family.
"That’s why we get out of bed each day, because we don't want anyone else to be in our shoes."
For more information and to donate, visit https://poppyslightfoundation.enthuse.com/cf/macchu-picchu-challenge