They set out to raise £7,000 to fund a single screening day for Cambridge students — the fund has raised over £56,500, which will enable screening days this year and in future years as well. 

Thanks to Clarissa’s Campaign, the University of Cambridge Sports Centre will host four separate screening days for students in the 2024/25 academic year, with capacity for screening up to a hundred people each day.

The first events took place on the 15 and 16 October with a total of 209 students screened over the two days with experts from Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) — a charitable organisation helping to raise awareness of young sudden cardiac death — on hand to conduct the screenings.

Clarissa’s mother Hilary, who attended the sessions on both days, said: "These are the first screenings that I’ve been a part of and everyone who’s come along has been so appreciative. Cambridge has been brilliant in supporting this and I believe there is the will to keep the momentum going. We want to do more and more of these screening days. Cambridge could become a beacon of best practice and set an example to other universities nationwide."

Also attending on Wednesday was double Olympic champion rower and Trinity Hall alumnus Tom James, who was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation when he was 27.

"In the same way you go to the dentist to get your teeth checked, you should think about getting your heart screened," said James, who is now a Patron of CRY. "It’s very sad when fit and healthy young people die when they could have had a diagnosis which would have prevented that from happening. This is all about raising awareness."

Reflecting on the success of the screenings, Jess said: “I’m overwhelmed…these are the first screenings we’ve done and it’s so amazing to see so many people turn up to get checked out. The team from CRY have been so supportive. Every screening matters and it’s great to see all the money we’ve raised having this tangible benefit.”

Both friends were touched by the response to their campaign from students across the University. "A lot of students who’ve come along didn’t know Clarissa personally but her story has touched them. And we’re all coming together to prioritise our health — that’s just so important, and really special to see" said Izzy.

In addition, the Sports Service has nominated CRY as the charity partner for the Cambridge Half Marathon, facilitating further fundraising opportunities. 

Clarissa’s tragic and untimely death will leave a special and longstanding legacy. Thanks to the power of a friendship forged at Collegiate Cambridge, tomorrow’s Cambridge students will benefit from the greater medical understanding that Izzy and Jess have made possible.

It’s a fantastic example of how ‘giving back’ as alumni can be about raising awareness and inspiring action just as much as about making a financial donation. Izzy and Jess have channelled loss and sorrow into hope and positivity for countless Cambridge students.

More screenings for Cambridge students are planned for January 2025.

Follow @ClarissaCampaign on Instagram