Heart disease is the single biggest cause of death for women in New Zealand. It takes four times as many lives as breast cancer, yet most women do not know they are at risk.

Sue Cremer was unaware of the risk. Despite having a family history of heart disease, she never saw herself being affected. A year after her brother had heart surgery, she finally underwent a series of heart health checks. The results were alarming. Even with a healthy lifestyle and zest for life, the tests showed significant blockages in her arteries and a high cholesterol level. Although she was fit and active, Sue was very close to needing a bypass.

“I got such a shock. I thought I was invincible,” says Sue. “It wasn’t as if I was given a death sentence, because I had a choice. But if I had not taken heed of what my doctor said, death may have been looming. 

“It has been two years since I had my checks and the turn around has been amazing. I have changed my diet and exercise more regularly, often walking 14 to 15 kilometres a week. At Christmas, I had an angiogram and the results were astounding. I now have unblocked arteries, which is a direct result of my diet and exercise.

“Now all my friends are rushing off to their doctor and I’d encourage any woman to do likewise. I’m like a little evangelist. I’m spreading the word and it has really got my friends thinking about their health.”

Like Sue, Botany Town Centre will be helping to raise awareness about the risk of heart disease in Kiwi women, while supporting the Heart Foundation. On Thursday 6 May between 6pm and 10pm, Botany Town Centre will be hosting a ‘Splash of Red’ VIP night, offering a great night out for all, including a live charity auction with proceeds going to the Heart Foundation, live entertainment and free giveaways.

A not-for-profit organisation, the Heart Foundation funds research and promotes heart health in order to help stop New Zealanders dying prematurely from heart disease. The Foundation is hosting a series of ‘Go Red for Women’ breakfast events from 1 to 6 May, and with the ‘Splash of Red’ VIP night aims to empower women to take charge of their own health, know their heart health numbers and enjoy life. 

A heart disease survivor and patron to the Go Red for Women programme, former Prime Minister Jenny Shipley says if women took the time to visit to their GP, find out their numbers (blood pressure and cholesterol) and use the Heart Foundation’s new Know Your Numbers website, they would know what lifestyle, dietary and health changes to make to ensure they are doing everything possible for their heart health.

“It is a fact that heart disease is responsible for four times as many deaths as breast cancer. And while breast cancer is an important health issue, my hope is that these events will encourage women to treat themselves this Mother’s Day and get a handle on their heart health by having a heart health check. No one wants to die early.

“By using the Know Your Numbers website, a person can calculate their current and future heart risk using two of the most important numbers they’ll ever need to know – blood pressure and cholesterol ratio. These numbers, in conjunction with a person’s heart story – including age, ethnicity, smoking and family history – can offer a striking insight into a person’s health and the effect lifestyle choices are having on their body.”

Botany Town Centre Senior Marketing Manager Desiree Clark said, “It is a pleasure to be supporting the Heart Foundation and the great work that it does for New Zealanders.

“It is important that women take some time out to look after their own health and wellbeing and with the ‘Splash of Red’ event we hope to encourage those women to do so by having a heart health check.”

For more information on the ‘Splash of Red’ VIP Night at Botany Town Centre visit www.botanytowncentre.co.nz

‘A Splash of Red’ VIP Night – Botany Town Centre Thursday 6 May

• A live charity auction in support of the Heart Foundation will take place at 7.30pm.
• Heart Foundation volunteers will be in-centre to speak to guests and provide information regarding the Foundation and heart disease.
• A great line-up of entertainment including, The Peter Koopman Jazz Duo, keyboard jazz musician Mike Walker, fire dancers, and Ceroc performers.
• Roaming characters Austin Powers, the Queen of Hearts and Spiderman will be handing out free giveaways and vouchers.
• Every customer who makes a purchase on the night is eligible to receive an entry into the draw to win a $2,000 shopping spree at Botany Town Centre. The winner will be drawn live at 9.40pm.

 ends

Tags: A Splash of Red, Alexander Communications, AMP Capital Shopping Centre, Botany Town Centre, Desiree Clark, Heart disease, Heart Foundation, Jemma Logan, Jenny Shipley

This entry was posted on Monday, May 3rd, 2010 at 4:43 pm and is filed under Events, News Room. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.