mario gaoa's Fundraising Page

Hi Guys,

As some of you will know, earlier this year I experienced a Myocardial Infarction which is better known as a heart attack.

I was out surfing when I noticed my breathing became more labored while paddling out to where all the big boys were. Thinking it was remnants of my hang over and old age I dismissed the early signs and continued to get bashed by the Piha surf.

The same thing happened the next day while I was playing touch, but this time it was coupled with chest pains. A visit to my local doctor ended up being a week in hospital.

After a few tests, they confirmed that one of my arteries had a 80% blockage and was restricting the blood flow to the heart. The Doctors inserted a Stent to clear the artery and allow normal blood flow to resume.

While some of you will be thinking I am too young for a heart attack, 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. In my case it was my dashing good looks and devil may care attitude with the girls.

My short stay in hospital gave me time to reflect. Who would win the rugby world cup? Will I get to see the final episode of lost? When will Coronation street end?

Hospitals can be very depressing, but the doctors and nurses that treated me were nothing short of fantastic. In particular I would like to single out Mardi Heath for steadying my nerves before I had the stent procedure done. Cardio vascular disease is totally preventable and a small change in life style can slow the biggest killer in New Zealand.

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 haven't run this event in a few years so I expect it will be challenging, but with over 4 million hearts in New Zealand to run for it'll be more than worth it.

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.


Can you pass this to some of your buddies as well. The more donations for the heart will go a long way to making stronger hearts.

Thank you for your support and I promise to run with your heart on my sleeve.

Mars