Family of Xavier O’Grady raise $500k for research after 20-year-old’s death at half marathon finish line

Grieving family of a 20-year-old that died during a marathon have thanked Australians for opening their hearts and their wallets to exceed their fundraiser target.

Australians have raised more than half a million dollars for a fundraiser to honour Xavier O’Grady, a 20-year-old from Sydney who died at a marathon finish line.

Xavier had travelled to Melbourne in October with his family to compete in the race with his dad when he collapsed.

Within hours, Xavier – who was just two months shy of turning 21 – had passed away.

He is one of the four young Australians aged between 15 and 35 who die each week from sudden cardiac death.

Royal Prince Alfred Hospital cardiologist Chris Semsarian has spent more than 20 years researching the phenomenon of fit young people, particularly males, dying suddenly.

In their quest for answers, the O’Grady’s set up a campaign called ‘Heartbeats for Xav’ to help Prof Semsarian and his team research the condition further.

They have now raised more than $500,000.

“It’s an incredibly emotional feeling, to know that our Xav is going to save others lives, though it goes without saying, we wish he was here to do that himself,” the O’Grady family said.

“As one of Xav’s most famous sayings within our family goes, “back yourself”. With that – our drive to further this goal will continue.”

Last photo taken of Xavier O'Grady with his dad Patrick and his eldest sister Gabriella at the airport, 24 hours before he died. Picture: Supplied

His distraught parents Patrick and Alison, along with their daughters Gabriella and Annaliese, are still struggling to make sense of the tragedy, five months on.

“The actual day was obviously very traumatic. I finished before Xavier and we saw him enter the Melbourne Cricket Ground and run down the homestretch and cross the line, but we didn‘t see him after that,” Mr O’Grady said.

“Eventually, when he didn‘t appear, I made my way to the medical tent where I was informed that there was a heart issue but they wouldn’t let us see him at that point.”

Prof Semsarian said often there are warning signs in half the cases.

“In over 50 per cent of young sudden deaths, there is no warning sign. The first presentation of the condition is sudden death,” Prof Semsarian said.

Xavier O'Grady died on October 2, 2022, from sudden cardiac arrest at the finish line of the Melbourne half marathon. Picture: Supplied

Xavier O'Grady was just two months away from turning 21. Picture: Supplied

“The rest can have symptoms and the main one we investigate further is if a young person has a blackout fairly commonly. If I see blood and I faint, that's normal. If I’m standing in 40 degree temperatures for hours and hours outside, that’s normal.

“If I faint while driving, crossing the road or even when exercising or playing sports, that’s abnormal. Other possible symptoms include minor chest pains and a family history with heart disease.”

Xavier O'Grady pictured with his father Patrick, sisters Annaliese and Gabriella. Supplied

Prof Semsarian said there are a number of preventive strategies that can be done by young people at high risk of heart problems.

“Preventive strategies include things like modifying exercise, like avoiding really high level elite sports and also using drugs like beta-blockers to slow down the heart,” he said.

Xavier O'Grady pictured with his mum, Alison. Picture: Supplied

“We can even put in devices in the chest called defibrillators which can sit under the chest wall and will monitor the heart rhythm, and if it goes into a rhythm that could lead to sudden death, it detects it and delivers the shock.”

The family are encouraging people to participate in the Gold Coast marathon weekend on July 1-2 in honour of their son.

To find out more about Heartbeats for Xav visit here.

WARNING SIGNS FOR SUDDEN CARDIAC DEATH.

1. If you have blackouts (faints) or persistent chest pains, you should at least see a GP.
2. If family history of heart disease or sudden death, then you should get a basic heart check up.
3. All Australians should know how to do CPR – it’s a lifesaving skill, and know how to use, or at least be able to find/recognise, a defibrillator.
   

Originally published as Family of Xavier O’Grady raise $500k for research after 20-year-old’s death at half marathon finish line