Local heart day with soul

Local heart day with soul

Otara families can enjoy a morning of hearty fun while learning how to better care for their hearts at Pharmac’s One Heart Many Lives community heart health morning this coming Saturday.

Tane Maori and Pacific Island men are offered free heart checks at the Otara market on 17 October. Look for the heart signs to the music hall and the FREE heart checks from 0800 to 12 noon. Take up the wero, get your heart checked and know where you stand.

Mutz from Hyundai CODE will be there to MC the morning programme. We have a spectacular line up of Ray Bishop and Box Juice to entertain you with songs from their new album, One Heart Many Lives. There will be face painting and a “draw your dad” competition for the kids. There will be some extra special give-aways for dads and their sons and daughters.

Pharmac is hosting this event as part of its One Heart Many Lives programme, which is designed to encourage men, especially from Maori and Pacific Islands communities, to take better care of their hearts.

‘Local heroes’ from around New Zealand will also take to the stage to share their personal struggles and journeys with heart disease. VIPS from the local region will have their say and get their hearts checked on the day.

Pharmac General Manager of Access and Optimal Use and Te Whaioranga teams, Marama Parore, said one person dies from heart disease every 90 minutes in New Zealand, and that cardiovascular disease (which causes heart attacks and strokes), is our leading cause of death.

“It's a disease affecting our dads, our uncles, our brothers, our cousins and our whanau. Maori and Pacific Island men die up to 14 years earlier than their non-Maori counterparts, so we especially want them to have a heart check.

“Don't wait until it’s too late because heart disease is a killer that could take you away from your loved ones. Do it for the tamariki and for the mokopuna. Do it for yourself!”

She said the heart checks take about 30 minutes and do not involve exercise or removing clothes.

Marama Parore said Local Heart Day organisers were hoping for a big turn out.

“Heart disease is a pretty grim subject, but there’s no reason we can't make a lot of noise and have a lot of fun while promoting the message that you've only got one heart, so it’s a good idea to take good care of it.”

The Local Heart Day will kick off at 8.00am on Saturday 17 October at the Otara Market , music hall.

ENDS

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