Message from Heart Foundation Medical Director, Dr. Gerry Devlin

 

Gerry Devlin

We need your support now more than ever as heart disease remains New Zealand's single biggest killer, claiming one New Zealand life every 90 minutes.

Help us to fund life-saving heart research by donating to the Big Heart Appeal. Through heart research, we learn more about the causes of heart disease and ways to prevent, treat and even reverse some conditions.

Last year, we invested more than $3 million into funding several exciting research projects, including a game-changing pacemaker, potential treatments for aortic valve disease, investigating the link between heart disease and mental health and the relationship between premature birth and heart disease.

The Big Heart Appeal street collection, on Friday 24 and Saturday 25 February, will see our amazing volunteers hit the streets of New Zealand dressed up in red. Show your big heart, and let's make this year the best one yet so we can continue saving lives by funding life-saving heart research. Please donate at one of our collection sites in your community or donate online today.

Thank you for your support.

 

 

Anyone, anywhere, at any time

 

Hear from our storytellers who share their heart-warming stories.

 

Headshot of Suzanne Prentice. She is smiling into the camera. She wears a black cardigan and a white blouse. She has short, white blonde spikey hair.

Suzanne Prentice

 

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

She has returned to her busy singing life, which she has successfully managed for nearly fifty years – although she has decided to slow down a little.

 

Read Suzanne's story

Dr John Mayhew

 

Former All Blacks and Warriors doctor Dr John Mayhew was completing a workout at his local gym five years ago when he suffered a cardiac arrest.

Now, with a fresh perspective on life, he says he feels incredibly lucky to be alive and sees every day as a bonus.

 

Read John's story
Portrait of Dr John Mayhew. He is wearing a dark blue suit, white shirt and a red pocket square. The background is burred but appears to be foliage.
Andrew Hill appears to be laughing - he is wet, as though he has just come out of the sea or has been caught in heavy rain.

Andrew Hill

 

Adventure fisherman, entrepreneur and father of three, Andrew Hill, suffered the first of three heart attacks at 40 years old.

He says he greatly respects the New Zealand cardiologists and heart surgeons who save lives and give those with heart conditions a better quality of life.

 

Read Andrew's story

Lance Savali

 

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.

Lance has a heart condition called supraventricular tachycardia or SVT, which he says ”makes his heart beat really fast.”

 

Read Lance's story
Lance Savali is wearing a pastel fluffy cardigan and is facing towards the camera looking directly forward, with his hands in his pockets. He is not smiling.

Read more inspiring stories from Liz Carlson and Tanya Neeley.