Stories

CJ Gilbert (Ngāi Tūhoe and Ngāti Kahungunu) is one of the faces of the Heart Foundation’s Stand Strong campaign. Two years ago, he began to notice health issues in others that were irreversible. That was the moment CJ decided to make changes to his lifestyle and prioritise his wellbeing before it was too late.

A change in the way patients with chest pain are treated when they arrive at the Emergency Department at Christchurch Hospital is the work of Professor Martin Than, an emergency department doctor and a Heart Foundation research grant recipient in 2017.

Pacific Heartbeat course graduate is sharing her knowledge with the youngest to the oldest members of her community

Prominent cardiologist and Heart Foundation Chair of Heart Health, Professor Rob Doughty, has completed an extraordinary physical challenge—cycling the entire length of New Zealand’s South Island—to raise funds for heart research and honour the memory of his friend and colleague, Associate Professor Malcolm Legget.

Significant progress has been made in raising awareness of heart disease and the importance of understanding heart disease risk, through the Heart Foundation Stand Strong campaign.

No stranger to facing a challenge, Mary drew on the strength and determination of her family when her husband, John, was struck by a heart attack.

Dr Libby Curtis successfully completed an overseas training and research fellowship, generously funded by the Heart Foundation Benjamin Fellowship in 2023. She has since brought her international experience and advanced skills back home to regional New Zealand.

When Sam and Alyse’s infant son struggled with regurgitation and raspy breathing, they had no idea that it could be caused by an undiscovered heart anomaly.

Monique Bradley is in many ways like her father – artistic, musical and entrepreneurial – and always on the go.

Well-known New Zealand entrepreneur, businessman, husband, father and grandfather, Mike Pero, thought he was bulletproof until a wake-up call set him on a path to take extra care of his heart.

45-year-old Auckland-based Matt has always been the outdoorsy, active type. He never thought he’d be affected by heart disease. But when taking part in a marathon he began to feel worryingly unwell.

After losing her partner to a heart attack and facing years of her own heart issues, Lesly now manages her health with a pacemaker, staying active and supporting the Heart Foundation to raise awareness about heart health.