Stories

In 2021, Lance became a household name when he starred in Celebrity Treasure Island. However, his credentials go beyond reality TV and into music, dance and choreography where he has shared the stage with international icons like Beyoncé, Rihanna and Jennifer Lopez.

At just 35 years old, Tanya's busy life as a mother of two little boys was turned upside down by some seriously worrying symptoms. Her heart was beating much faster than it should have been and often palpitating out of time.

Award-winning singer and entertainer Suzanne Prentice believes if it had not been for the quick actions of her husband, hospital staff and the rescue helicopter, she might not have survived a heart attack in 2022.

Adventure fisherman, entrepreneur and father of three, Andrew Hill suffered the first of three heart attacks at 40. Ten years later, at 50, he is encouraging others to get their hearts checked.

Doctor John Mayhew had been involved in many cardiac arrests in his medical career. But, he never expected to be the patient.

Rose Williamson was born with a heart murmur and has held the Heart Foundation close to her heart all her life.

Jenny Goss has volunteered for the Heart Foundation Big Heart Appeal street collection for twenty years, an event that is extremely close to Jenny’s heart. She has seen just how impactful the Heart Foundation’s work is after experiencing her own heart problems two years ago.

As a cardiac nurse, Jo Bell spent her career supporting and treating patients with heart conditions. Since her retirement, she has developed a lifelong connection with the Heart Foundation, helping to prevent heart disease in her community.

When Clodagh O’Connor had a heart attack in 2009, she had just moved from Hamilton to Invercargill. She assumed the symptoms she was experiencing were due to tiredness or indigestion.

Doug Hosking has lived in Tauranga for 27 years and, by all accounts, is your typical average Kiwi. But little did he know his life was about to change when he and his wife went on a backpacking holiday to Mexico and Central America in 2015.

Rosemary Harris has more reason than most to volunteer as a collector for the Heart Foundation Big Heart Appeal in February 2023. Unfortunately, she knows first-hand what it’s like to suffer from a heart condition.

When Barry Eastwick started volunteering as a street collector for the Heart Foundation Big Heart Appeal, it was out of the goodness of his heart.