Release date: 6/05/2010
Nurses, fitness instructors and juice makers are coming together to promote heart health for Heart Week 2010.
Kate Ashton, CEO of The Prince Charles Hospital Foundation, said raising awareness of heart health is a way of trying to reduce the number of people dying from heart disease each year. “Heart disease is Australia’s biggest killer, claiming 50,000 lives annually, and the leading cause of death throughout the world. By partnering with local businesses, we are hoping to provide a range of useful information to help people take better care of themselves now,” she said. The Prince Charles Hospital Foundation will be outside Myer Chermside (near the Coffee Club entrance) from Tuesday to Saturday, along with friends from Goodlife Health Clubs, Terry White Chemists, Myer, Boost Juice and cardiac nurses from The Prince Charles Hospital. The nurses will be giving free blood pressure checks and explaining the importance of blood pressure in tracking cardiovascular health. Ms Ashton said while most of us know we need to do more exercise and eat better, we don’t always know how small changes can make a big difference. “When you’re working full time and looking after a family, finding an extra 30 minutes a day for exercise can seem like an impossible task,” Ms Ashton said. “But we’ll be providing information about how people can build healthy heart activities into their day, such as taking the stairs instead of the lift or swapping high fat snacks for fruit. “We’re also very pleased that our friends at Goodlife and Myer are taking their heart health seriously and holding a fitness challenge at the end of each day.” Ms Ashton said Goodlife Health Clubs throughout Brisbane were currently participating in the Foundation’s 50,000 Hearts Appeal, helping raise money for urgently-needed medical equipment. “Goodlife Health Clubs are passionately committed to helping change the burden & effects of heart disease in the community. As part of this we see it is crucial that health centric organisations work together on this issue,” said Goodlife’s Chief Operating Officer Roger Westerman. “Goodlife's partnership with The Prince Charles Hospital Foundation represents advancements in both prevention awareness and fund raising to find a cure,” he said. Myer Chermside Sales Manager Emma Bickerton said the store had been supporting the Foundation’s work for several years. “Health is the single biggest factor affecting quality of life and we are pleased to be involved in an event with such a wide reaching community impact,” Ms Bickerton said. Daily activities: 9am - 5pm: Take the Wii Fit challenge, information about improving your heart health 10am -2pm: Free blood pressure testing by nurses from The Prince Charles Hospital. Find out what your blood pressure says about your cardiovascular health. 2pm – 3pm: Displays from Goodlife Health Clubs, Terry White Chemists, Boost Juice and more 3pm – 5pm: Myer vs Goodlife fitness challenge, raising money for The Prince Charles Hospital Foundation The Prince Charles Hospital Foundation funds research to find cures and save lives. Find out more at www.findingcures.com.au or drop by the information stall during Heart Week. Businesses interested in the 50,000 Hearts Appeal, running until the end of June, can contact the Foundation office on 3139 4636. A list of businesses participating in the appeal can be seen online at www.findingcures.com.au Download the media release (pdf)
Media contacts: Christine Atkinson, The Prince Charles Hospital Foundation ph (07) 3139 6350