26 October 2006

Health board backs child cancer event

Bay of Plenty District Health Board is literally ‘walking the talk’ this weekend through its significant support of the Child Cancer Fun Run Walk or Ride being held at Mount Maunganui this Sunday.

To date, more than half of the entries received for the event have come from health board staff and their families.

Chief Executive Phil Cammish says the health board is backing the event to demonstrate its commitment to the healthy activity message.

“If we want people in the community to increase their physical activity to prevent heart disease, obesity, diabetes and cancer, then we must be prepared to get out there and be active ourselves.”

“I’m sure health board staff will enjoy this opportunity to participate in a fun family event, while at the same time looking after their own health,” says Mr Cammish.

To encourage staff to endorse the healthy activity message, the health board is subsidising the entry fees of its staff members and their immediate families. They will be wearing distinctive health board t-shirts so that they can create a significant presence at the event.

“We are particularly pleased that this event is supporting a health charity, the Child Cancer Foundation,“ says Mr Cammish.

“Our staff work closely with the Child Cancer Foundation in providing health and social support to children with cancer and their families.”

ENDS

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