A Timaru family is once again clocking up the kilometres to save New Zealand’s hearts.
George McAleer and parents Kevin McAleer and Jane Sullivan have teamed up to tackle the Heart Foundation’s MyMarathon challenge to raise funds for heart research.
Over the course of May — George and Kevin are aiming to each run 100km while Jane will be swimming a minimum of 42km.
George, now 23, was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, atrial fibrillation and heart failure when he was 19 and had planned to complete the marathon with his parents last year but was unable to after two admissions and a heart procedure at Christchurch Hospital.
He said it was great to be able fully take part this year.
‘‘Last year was a big bummer with the operation in the middle of the month but I’m able to get through it this year and I’m actually rushing through it pretty quick which I’m happy with.
‘‘I’ve already done about 75km out of my 100km goal.
‘‘It’s great to have my family take part and have my friends show their support through donations or raising money themselves.’’
He said it was cool to see.
‘‘Having had problems you sort of feel quite alone.
‘‘For me when it happened, I didn’t know anyone else my age that had been going through anything like this or even that it could happen to people my age.
‘‘So, getting among this and seeing people my age with similar problems and doing their own fundraising makes it feel like you’re not alone through it all.’’
The initial heart problems came out of nowhere, he said.
‘‘I was stressed with university and life in general, I thought I was just having panic attacks.
‘‘I was lying in bed at the time and my heart rate was 180. I thought I’d just sleep it off and it’d be good in the morning and it wasn’t, so I went to the hospital.
‘‘If anyone has unusual symptoms they should go and get them checked out, it only takes an extra 30 seconds for the doctor to listen to your heart. It’s not much but it’s worth it.’’
Despite taking a bit of time to get over last year’s operation, he was feeling great.
‘‘I’ve been back in rhythm since the operation which is good but initially it was tough.
‘‘You go from feeling fit and healthy to lying down and your heart rate is three times higher than it should be.
‘‘It’s quite an uneasy feeling, a lot of confidence was lost and that took a bit of time and effort to get back.
‘‘Now that I’ve been through it a few times, I know what to look out for.
‘‘The new normal for me now is pretty much my old normal again which is really nice.’’
Ms Sullivan said it was great to be back taking part in the marathon again after their team raised more than $4000 last year.
‘‘It’s good motivation when you know someone down the track had to discover how to treat the different heart conditions.
‘‘George is benefiting from some research that was done years and years ago, so you’re hoping that for more complex situations that we’ll keep discovering new ways to treat the heart.
‘‘We were quite overwhelmed with the support we received last year.
‘‘It’s great to be able to raise awareness because a lot of families are touched by heart conditions.’’
She said heart problems could happen to anyone.
‘‘We’ve had a lot of new people come forward and donate this year which has been really nice.
‘‘It’s difficult to ask and put pressure on people to donate so we really appreciate people supporting us.’’
Anyone wishing to support the family and help them hit their $3000 goal can do so by visiting Heart Foundation’s MyMarathon – Team McAleer.
Blood pressure is also a big focus of the Heart Foundation this month and the organisation will be offering free checks in South Canterbury at Farmlands Timaru on May 26 from 10am to 2pm and New World Temuka on May 27 from 10am to 2pm.
