The call is out for Aucklanders to plunge into an icy pool for five minutes at the upcoming Heart Stopper Challenge event to be held in Auckland on 18th May 2012.  This act of courage by participants will help to raise much needed awareness and funds for the 12 Kiwi kids born every week with a congenital heart condition.

Melanie and John Walsh are two of the many brave souls who have signed up for this unique and fun challenge to support @Heart, the charity that has been helping them since their son was diagnosed with Ebstein’s Anomaly. Ebstein’s Anomaly is an extremely rare heart condition where the tricuspid valves are not formed properly causing malfunctioning of the heart.  Five-year-old Patrick is often ill with infections. Trips to hospital have become routine and the High Use Health Card has become a badge of honour for little Patrick.  

The Walsh family knows first-hand how vital it is to receive support from someone who understands and can offer practical help.  Melanie said, “Our world was turned upside down when we found out about Patrick’s heart condition.  We felt completely alone until we were connected with @Heart.  They supported us in many different ways and they made Patrick feel special by engaging him in fun activities with other heart kids.”

Lorraine Warshaw, General Manager of @Heart explains that the inspiration behind the Heart Stopper Challenge is the 450 open heart surgeries performed annually on children in New Zealand. During the open heart surgery a child’s chest cavity can be filled with an icy slush to slow the heart rate and metabolism, giving the surgeon a longer window of operating time.

The Heart Stopper Challenge sees teams of up to six people plunge into an icy pool for five minutes. These teams, dressed in costume for their plunge, not only demonstrate bravery and camaraderie but in the process have lots of fun. The Auckland Heart Stopper Challenge event will take place from 3pm on Friday 18th May at Takutai Square, Britomart. Our thanks go to Les Mills and More FM for their wonderful organisational support for the Auckland event. 

“Les Mills has been passionately supporting @Heart, we want to do more in the community to help get people active, and we see this as a good way to look after those who - through no fault of their own – need support so they can better cope with the challenges of their heart conditions” Jackie Marshall, Les Mills Club Manager, Les Mills Auckland.

MORE FM Auckland realises the dramatic effects open heart surgeries have on young Kiwis and their families and aims to do everything in its power to help @Heart by communicating key messages to their listeners and the public.

MORE FM'S Programme Director, Ande Macpherson said, "By promoting the Heart Stopper Challenge, MORE FM has a unique opportunity to promote the event, making our listeners more aware of the huge need for their support and also encouraging others to participate in the Challenge by taking part ourselves!"

There is no entry fee to take the plunge, but each team member is encouraged to raise at least $100 to support the work of @Heart.  Funds raised from the Auckland Heart Stopper Challenge event are used to support heart children and their families staying on the National Paediatric Cardiac Ward in Auckland and at home, through @Heart’s Family Support Programme.

Register a team or sponsor a plunger for the Auckland Heart Stopper Challenge on this website: http://www.heartstopper.org.nz/event/heartstopperauckland2012. 

In spite of the chilly challenge, participants feel warm inside knowing that their act of courage will make a difference to the lives of heart kids and families in New Zealand.

– end –