Lauren Moore City 2 Surf!

Me and my husband

My name is Lauren and I am currently a Cardiology Secretary at Christchurch Hospital. Heart disease is a very real thing to me and I am trying my best to raise people's awareness.

Every 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 like me 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.

I want to get the word out that it is not only "old people" who are affected by cardiovascular disease. Many risk factors for heart disease are preventable, if people make healthy lifestyle choices. I personally see the impact that lifestyle choices are having on people and it makes me want to raise awareness of cardiovascular disease and let people become aware of how to prevent it.

So, please 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) and will be doing the full 12k walk. 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.