Shane Warne’s family think his death could have been prevented by a simple heart test.
The Australian cricket legend tragically passed away at the age of 52 in March 2022 while staying at a luxury villa in Thailand. Warne suffered a heart attack while on the holiday island of Koh Samui and could not be revived.
He was survived by his three children Brooke, Summer and Jackson, who have now launched an initiative to try and stop other deaths which they believe to be preventable. The Shane Warne Legacy Heart Test Campaign will provide free heart check-ups for Australians over the age of 40.
Warne’s death hit Australia hard and there was a 62 per cent increase in heart health checks from March 2022 to January 2023. And now Warne’s family hope that their initiative will help a further 500,000 Australians get checked in 2024.
“We believe if dad had taken one of these tests, he might still be with us today,” Brooke, Summer and Jackson said in an emotional statement. “We don’t want any family to endure the heartache we’ve faced and sadly, millions of others have faced, and dad wouldn’t want that either.”
Warne’s parents, Keith and Brigitte, wrote: “When we reflect on Shane’s passing in March 2022, we can’t help but wonder if a heart test might have revealed an issue, allowing him to take preventive measures.
“The first initiative of the Legacy strives to offer others this crucial opportunity, sparing their loved ones the heart-wrenching anguish of a sudden loss. Providing this chance to other families is a source of immense pride for us, hoping they don’t endure the same fate we have.”
The foundation will raise money by selling floppy and bucket hats throughout the approaching Australian summer. His parents say it will be a “bittersweet experience” to visit the MCG, where the Southern Stand has been renamed the Shane Warne Stand in his honour.
Warne’s children added: “We know he wouldn’t want us to be sad, and that understanding has been our driving force. As the world honours his legacy, we’re honouring our dad who was our pillar of strength, our confidant, and our loudest cheerleader.
“We will be eternally grateful for the too-short time we had with him, and his values will forever be our guide through life. We’re immensely proud of the Shane Warne Legacy team, who were dad’s team in life for nearly 20 years – they are ensuring dad will be remembered as he deserves, doing precisely what he would want – giving a leg up to those in need.
“His legacy, one of making a difference, is nothing short of extraordinary. He would love this. We aim to reciprocate the love and guidance dad provided us throughout our lives by continuing the legacy he left behind.”
Warne is the greatest leg-spinner of all time, having taken 708 Test match wickets, a figure only surpassed by Sri Lanka's Muttiah Muralitharan. He transcended cricket, becoming a household name across the world through his force of personality.