Run for stroke on Saturday 29 October– World Stroke Day 2011

27 October 2011

Run for stroke on Saturday 29 October – World Stroke Day 2011

While one man continues his 2,900km run the length of New Zealand to raise awareness and funds for stroke, the rest of the country is being urged to join him by donning their trainers and running whatever distance they can on World Stroke Day Saturday 29 October.

Jup Brown the ‘mad plumber’ from Wanaka will complete his epic run in Auckland on 6 November, but on 29 October he wants as many people as possible to get together and run (or walk, or cycle) in the name of stroke awareness. Jup was inspired to undertake his monster marathon by his friend Nick Chisholm who had a stroke in his 20s and experienced ‘locked-in syndrome’. Then, eight months into the planning for his run, Jup’s father also had a stroke.

World Stroke Day is an international awareness raising event of the World Stroke Campaign (www.worldstrokecampaign.org). Although stroke is New Zealand’s third biggest killer it is the second leading cause of death worldwide. One in six people will have a stroke in their lifetime – six million will die from stroke every year, more than those attributed to AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria combined. In New Zealand about 2,000 people die from stroke each year, more than any other cause except cancer and heart disease.

But the good news is that running can actually help reduce the risk of having a stroke. Exercise is a vital part of a healthy lifestyle which will reduce the risk of stroke, together with cutting down on fatty, salty foods, monitoring your blood pressure, stopping smoking and not drinking too much alcohol. So by running on 29 October you will be doing yourself a favour as well as helping raise stroke awareness. If you can’t run you can walk or cycle instead.

There are no official runs – Jup Brown says he just wants people to run together with friends, or on their own, and let as many people as possible know why they’re doing it. Runners can then contact Jup at http://running-nz.info/world-map to show their support.

Jup has raised over $12,000 so far for the Stroke Foundation. The easiest way for people to donate is by texting STROKE to 5339 – each text makes a $3 donation from your mobile phone account. See http://running-nz.info/donation for other ways to donate.

For information on stroke see www.stroke.org.nz

ENDS

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