Ross was 47 years of age at the time of his death from a sudden cardiac arrest; a form of heart attack that kills 25,000 Australians each year. Many are fit and young people. Following his death Ross's wife Penny set up a trust in his name to fund a world-first registry and genetic database in Melbourne. The fund will enable research into sudden cardiac arrest, by examining the blood samples of those under 50 who have survived or died from this silent killer.
Clinics will be established in Melbourne at St Vincent’s, The Alfred, Royal Melbourne and Royal Children’s hospitals.