7 young lives lost every week
Alexandra Thoms was just 23 years old when she went to sleep and didn’t wake up. She had no symptoms, no warning signs, and her family were left searching for answers.
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The cause was Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD), caused by an undiagnosed genetic heart condition.​ Every week in Australia, 7 young people aged 1–35 lose their lives the same way.
Alexandra’s Mission was founded in honour of Alexandra, to change that - through awareness, prevention, and early detection.
Life Saving Research
Alexandra's Mission supports the ongoing and life-saving research conducted at Australia's leading cardiac research institutes.
The Garvan Institute researches the genetic and molecular basis of inherited heart diseases, using cardiac genomics and genetic counselling to improve diagnosis, management, and family care for those affected by cardiomyopathies.
The Centenary Institute advances precision medicine in heart health, combining cellular-level research with genetic testing and counselling to uncover the causes of sudden cardiac death and support affected families through personalised care and risk assessment.
The MCRI is the largest child health research institute in Australia. They study cardiomyopathies using stem cell technologies to model the disease, uncover its causes, and develop new drug and cell-based therapies. Their work bridges clinical care and laboratory research.
The Heart Foundation is a leading organisation dedicated to fighting heart disease. Through world-class research, community education, and advocacy, the Heart Foundation works to prevent heart disease before it starts, improve early detection and treatment, and support those living with heart conditions.
Cardiomyopathy Australia New Zealand (CMANZ) works to support people affected by cardiomyopathy by providing information, advocacy, and community resources across Australia and New Zealand. They promote research, awareness, and collaboration with stakeholders to improve diagnosis, treatment, and quality of life for patients and families.