CÚRAM Research Ireland Centre for Medical Devices, based at University of Galway, and Croí (the Heart and Stroke Charity) will host a free screening of ‘Counter Attack’ – the latest ‘Science on Screen’ film – at Croí House, located in Newcastle, Galway, to mark this year’s World Heart Day on Monday 29 September.
The film, which examines the effects of cardiovascular disease and explores the disease from the perspective of the patient, the family, the paramedic and researcher, was produced under the Science on Screen Education and Public Engagement Programme, a partnership between CÚRAM and Ardán (previously Galway Film Centre) which has been running since 2015.
The film features Kildare-based musician Frankie Lane (pictured below) who suffered a heart attack followed by a cardiac arrest, his wife Anita Lane, and Cork-based paramedic Pat McCarthy.
The documentary also highlights the work of vascular surgeon Dr Niamh Hynes and the team at CÚRAM Research Ireland Centre for Medical Devices. Dr Hynes focusses on the body’s largest artery – the aorta. Her research looks at predicting if, and when an aortic rupture will happen and, using AI and machine learning, how to build ‘digital twins’ of aortas to understand the rupture process. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion with some of the film’s contributors, in addition to an audience Question & Answer session.
This year the World Heart Day’s theme is ‘Don’t miss a beat: real stories, real science, real lives’. Annie Costelloe, Croí’s Head of Patient and Community Engagement, said: “Screening ‘Counter Attack’ at the Croí Heart and Stroke Centre allows us to bring a powerful real-life story to the community, highlighting both the urgency and the hope in tackling heart disease. It is a timely reminder that every beat matters, and that knowledge, support and early action can save lives.”
Click here to register for the event.
CÚRAM’s public engagement programme aims to provide opportunities for collaboration with patient or public audiences interested in or affected by its research. A key aspect of the Science on Screen Programme – co-managed with Ardán – is the collaboration between filmmakers, researchers and those with lived conditions of chronic illness.
Ardán is a non-profit talent development organisation that supports creatives in the audio-visual industry, in film, TV, games, and animation, through funding, training, and events, and by providing opportunities for entry, emerging, and established individuals working in the screen sector.
Croí is a registered Irish Heart and Stroke Charity. Croí’s mission is to prevent heart disease and stroke, save lives, and empower and support people, families, communities, and future generations to take control of their health and well-being. The Croí Heart and Stroke Centre is a leading centre for heart and stroke prevention, research, education, support, and rehabilitation located in Newcastle, Galway.
The ‘Science on Screen’ scheme was founded to explore the stories behind science and to facilitate, promote and increase the inclusion of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) content in Irish film and TV production. Over the last ten years the films and animations produced through ‘Science on Screen’ scheme have been screened in 30 different countries and reached almost two million people through broadcasts, film festivals, through community, academic and clinical screenings and online platforms and public exhibits.
