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New Zealand’s biggest killer

Heart disease is New Zealand’s biggest killer, and this February the Heart Foundation is raising funds to aid in the fight against it. Nationwide, thousands of volunteers will be collecting donations during the month-long appeal. 

More than 6,000 people die from heart disease in New Zealand every year – our country’s biggest killer. This figure is almost 20 times the 2016 road toll. 

February marks the Heart Foundation’s annual appeal month, with thousands of volunteers nationwide set to collect donations to support the Foundation – New Zealand’s leading independent funder of heart research. 

Heart Foundation Medical Director Gerry Devlin said this is the charity’s largest fundraising and awareness campaign of the year.

“There’s still a lot of work that needs to be done in terms of bringing down such a high number of deaths each year. While the Heart Foundation is committed to doing this, we need the support and help of New Zealanders all around the country who can generously donate. Funds raised during the Heart Foundation’s annual appeal are used to support heart-related research and specialist training for cardiologists.”

Since 1970, The Heart Foundation has invested more than $57 million in research and specialist training. The foundation also offers a wide range of activities to support people living with heart disease, as well as providing educational programmes and campaigns that promote heart-healthy living.

To find out more about the annual appeal month, and to give to the cause, look out for a Heart Foundation volunteer on the street, call 0800 830 100 or go online to www.heartfoundation.org.nz/donate

Heart disease at a glance

  • 169,000 Kiwis currently living with heart disease
  • Every 90 minutes a New Zealander dies from heart disease. 
  • Kiwi women more than four times more likely to die from a heart disease than breast cancer

Street appeal dates: 

Auckland: 24-25 February
Otago: 17 February
Wellington: 17-18 February
Manawatu – Mid Central: 10-11 February, 17-18 February, 24-25 February 
Southland: 10 Feburary
​South Canterbury: 9-10 February
Nelson/Marlborough: 10-11 February, 17 February, 24-25 February 
Rotorua/Taupo: 15-17 February, 22-24 February
Waikato: 16-18 February 
Tairawhiti/Gisborne: Whole month Friday and Saturday
North Otago: 9-11 February
Hawke’s Bay: 11 February
Tauranga: 16-18 February, 24-25 February
Wairarapa: 10-11 February
Canterbury – Christchurch: 24-25 February 

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