Cicelia Holliday's Fundraising Page

Running 2008 half marathon

back from a training run

Each day hundreds of people around the world die as a result of coronary heart disease. Many of these deaths are premature and preventable.

Cardiovascular disease (heart, stroke & blood vessel disease) is the single leading cause of death in most of the developed world. It causes 40 percent of all deaths annually in New Zealand alone - making it more deadly than all forms of cancer.

The nature of who is affected by it is changing. My father had a triple bypass at an advanced age. My father-in-law (who has run many marathons) suffers with heart problems. New research shows that young adults in their 20s and 30s are being admitted to hospital for heart attacks more than ever before, and that this age group is dying at a faster rate than people of the same age in previous generations. Much of this change is due to unhealthy lifestyles - poor eating habits, lack of physical activity and being a smoker.

But the good news is that many risk factors for heart disease are preventable, if people make healthy lifestyle choices. The Heart Foundation does good work in this arena. They look after programmes like: jump rope for heart, the healthy ticks you see on food, lots of research and so much more to help people have healthier hearts and therefore healthier, more active, longer lives.

So, help me as I join the race to beat heart disease.

I've signed up as a Heart Racer to raise money to support the Heart Foundation. By donating through my webpage you will be helping the Heart Foundation continue its vital work in research, cardiac rehabilitation, education programmes and resources.

I'll do all the hard work (train for and complete the event), but I really need you to make a difference to the hearts of those you care about.

So, please could you sponsor me?

Select the "Make a donation" button below. It's simple, fast and totally secure and the money goes directly to the Heart Foundation's bank account.

If you live in New Zealand your donation is tax deductible and a receipt will be issued.

So please help me today! And pass it on to your family and friends!

Many thanks for your support