Local heart day with soul

Local heart day with soul

Pharmac Media Release
1 October 2009

Porirua families can enjoy a morning of hearty fun while learning how to better care for their hearts at Pharmac’s Local Heart Day this coming Saturday. Men enrolled at the Ora Toa Cannons Creek Medical Centre can also get free heart checks.

Stilt walkers hurling frisbees, a bouncy castle, face painting and a “draw your dad” competition for the kids are just some of the spectacular fun activities lined up for the morning. Ray Bishop and Box Juice will also entertain with songs from their new album, One Heart Many Lives.

Pharmac is hosting the event as part of its ‘One Heart Many Lives’ programme which is designed to encourage men, especially from Maori and Pacific communities, to take better care of their hearts.

Free heart checks will be offered only to men enrolled at the Ora Toa medical Centre during the morning, but patients who are with other medical centres will get information about where they can also get a free heart check.

‘Local heroes’ from around New Zealand will also take to the stage to share their personal struggles and journeys with heart disease.

Pharmac General Manager of Access and Optimal Use and Te Whaioranga teams, Marama Parore, said one person dies from heart disease every 90 minutes in New Zealand, and that cardiovascular disease (which causes heart attacks and strokes), is our leading cause of death.

“It's a disease affecting our dads, our uncles our brothers, our cousins and our whanau. Maori and Pacific Island men die up to 14 years earlier than their non-Maori counterparts, so we especially want them to have a heart check.

“Don't wait until it’s too late because heart disease is a killer that could take you away from your loved ones. Do it for the tamariki and for the mokopuna. Do it for yourself!”

She said the heart checks take about 30 minutes and do not involve exercise or removing clothes.

The morning of fun will also see the launch of Pharmac’s new ‘One Heart Many Lives’ magazine, with lots of free copies to give away.

Ms Parore said the community focused magazine provides information about how ordinary people can have healthier hearts.

“The ‘One Heart Many Lives’magazine is filled with tips about cooking, eating and exercise as well as articles about ‘local heroes’ who are excellent heart-health role models.

“We've made the magazine really interesting and engaging so people who read it will start to think about how they can take better care of their heart.”

Ms Parore said Local Heart Day organisers were hoping for a big turn out.

“Heart disease is a pretty grim subject, but there’s no reason we can't make a lot of noise and have a lot of fun while promoting the message that you've only got one heart, so it’s a good idea to take good care of it.”

The Local Heart Day will kick off at 8.30am on Saturday 3 October at the Ora Toa Cannons Creek Medical Centre, 178 Bedford Street, Cannons Creek, Porirua.

ENDS

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