Te Puke-based Ann Jones is running for Stroke Central

03 May 2021

As Ann Jones got older the thought that she might succumb to a stroke or heart attack was always on her mind. Her mother, brother and cousin all had strokes in their early fifties which had severe effects on them in different ways. Her brother lost his career and marriage due to the disabilities the stroke caused, and her cousin lost her speech as well as movement in the right side of her body. 

Te Puke-based Ann Jones is now 63 years old and is making sure that she lives a healthy and active life. “I count my blessings every day and try to do everything to prevent the same thing happening to me” she explains, “I was the big kid in school and wasn’t very healthy when I was young. My father had a heart attack and passed away when I was only 11”. It was then that the doctor told her that she had to lose weight if she didn’t want to end up like her dad.   

As Ann got older, she has become more aware of living a healthy and active lifestyle “I’ve got children and grandchildren, so I’ve got lots to live for” she explains.  

This is the first time she is taking part in the Rotorua Marathon and she is doing it to support her son. “My son is overweight, and he said he wanted to do the 10km at the Rotorua Marathon this year, so I said yes go for it, I’m with you! Now there is five of us in our family doing the 10km together.” Ann and her family are supporting each other in their quest to live a more active, and healthy lifestyle to prevent cardiovascular diseases and to break the curse of stroke in their family.  

Ann is fundraising at the Rotorua Marathon for Stroke Central New Zealand’s #DontBeTheOneNZ Stroke Prevention Campaign. #DontBeTheOneNZ raises awareness and educates on the prevention of stroke and other cardiovascular diseases through the promotion of living an active and healthy lifestyle. Every hour, someone has a stroke. Every 5 hours, someone dies from stroke. Every year 10,000 people experience a stroke. There is a trend towards increasing stroke incidence in people younger than 65 years. 

Yet, stroke is largely preventable! 

You can support Ann by donating at her Go Fundraise page 

For more info on stroke and stroke prevention visit www.strokecentral.org.nz