Fiona’s 14-year-old son Max was bright and gave enormous bear hugs. She lost him in an instant when his heart suddenly stopped
Fiona Connolly is advocating for greater awareness of sudden cardiac death in young people after the tragic loss of her 14-year-old son, Max. She is calling on Australian politicians to address the high fatality rate of sudden cardiac arrest in youth.
Why it matters
It highlights a significant public health concern and the emotional toll of sudden, unexplained deaths in seemingly healthy children.
‘How can these seemingly healthy young hearts just stop?’: Fiona Connolly’s son Max died after collapsing on a basketball court in 2021 ‘How can these seemingly healthy young hearts just stop?’: Fiona Connolly’s son Max died after collapsing on a basketball court in 2021 Health Fiona’s 14-year-old son Max was bright and gave enormous bear hugs. She lost him in an instant when his heart suddenly stopped The Sydney mother wants Canberra politicians to hear people who have lost children to sudden cardiac death, saying ‘we need answers’
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Jonathan Barrett Mon 10 Aug 2026 11.00 EDT Last modified on Mon 10 Aug 2026 17.41 EDT Share Prefer the Guardian on Google Fiona Connolly often reflects on the moment she saw her 14-year-old son, Max, collapsed on a Sydney basketball court, heart no longer beating.
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