Karen Havill's Fundraising Page

Each day 16 New Zealanders die as a result of coronary heart disease. That's one person every 90 minutes. And many of these deaths are premature and preventable.

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

The nature of who is affected by it is changing. 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.

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 National Heart Foundation of New Zealand. 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 New Zealanders.

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

Karen's Personal Story:-

I lost my first husband at the young age of 28 in 1994 from heart disease, I also was only 28, we had a son of 2 and a half years of age at this time and his death came as a huge shock and their were no goodbyes, just questions why????

Now it is 2009 I am now 43 years of age and I have battled with my own health issues for many years also. This is my first triathalon event ever and I am very nervous, anxious and completely out of my normal comfort zone.

I am competing in this event for me, my health and for my family and all the families in New Zealand who I would like to be aware of the very real reality that heart disease can and will take our loved ones if we let it.

Please come down and sponsor me or cheer me on, I will be wearing red shorts, red T-shirt and my red and black canterbury socks, also my bike is red and black (Canterbury Girl) thats me I have long curly wild dark hair and you shall find me at the back of the bunch giving it my hardest!

Please sponsor me and help our hearts!