Saluma Ioane'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 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.

The above is true for me and my family. My father passed away suddenly 14 years ago from a stroke, aged 66. We just accepted it and tried to move on with our lives. Nothing much changed in my lifestyle. I continued to exercise when I felt like it and ate anything that I wanted.

Then 5 years ago, something happened that would change our lives forever. My youngest brother died suddenly from a heart disease, aged 33. Life just seemed unfair when that happenend especially when he was the youngest of 10 kids. Not only that, he left behind 3 very young and beautiful kids of 5, 4 and 1.

But the good news is that many risk factors for heart disease are preventable, if people make healthy lifestyle choices.

I am choosing to make a change for me. I know some of my family and friends are making better lifestyle choices too and others are still catching up.

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.

In October I will do my first ever marathon, the adidas Auckland Marathon 2007.

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 everyone you know!

Many thanks for your support