Latest news with #MyMarathon
Otago Daily Times
22-05-2025
- Health
- Otago Daily Times
Marathon effort personal for family
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 the Team McAleer page on the MyMarathon website. 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.
NZ Herald
06-05-2025
- Health
- NZ Herald
On The Up: Amputee raising money by walking 42km in a single day
'It introduced a bunch of minor inconveniences, like only going upstairs one step at a time, for example, and walking long distances. 'It takes above-knee amputees anywhere from 40-70% more energy to walk the same distance.' Cashmore said during his recovery and adjustment period, he 'kept a positive mindset'. 'This resulted in me being able to excel with prosthetics very quickly compared to the average person. 'I am always going to be thankful I never let it get the best of me,' he said. Cashmore is participating in the Heart Foundation's MyMarathon initiative and will be walking from the southernmost point in Tauranga to the base of Mauao, then to the end of Papamoa. MyMarathon challenged participants to walk or run 42km during May to raise funds for heart research and to help save lives. He hoped his walk inspired others who struggled with their mobility to push themselves. 'A lot of people, especially amputees, fall into despair when it comes to their mobility and give up when they are capable of so much more than they realise. 'For a long while, I couldn't even manage a walk to the dairy around the corner, now I'm doing quite well.' Having never done anything like this before, in preparation Cashmore had been swapping his usual strength and bodybuilding training for cardio until he felt he was at an acceptable level. He said there was no mental preparation, just a 'strong will and can-do attitude'. 'Anybody can make a difference, and to all my new amputees that may be struggling with their recovery, be patient, keep trying and never give up, you will get to where you want to be. 'I just hope that I can inspire other people to make a sacrifice to do some good in the world.' Cashmore will finish his walk mid-May and hoped to get as much support as possible. 'I reached out to Ottobock, the company that makes my prosthetic leg I currently use, and they are going to help me get my message out. 'If I'm lucky, I will be able to use their new top-of-the-line microprocessor knee for the duration of the walk, which would make my journey much easier.' Ottobock will be sponsoring Cashmore's mission, and any additional support can be given via the MyMarathon website by searching his name. His advice to others facing adversity or considering taking on a challenge is to 'give it your best shot'. 'Test your limits, push yourself, don't let a mental obstacle stop you from achieving your goals,' he said. 'Worst case, you will find out what you are capable of.'
