Richard's story
For most people, Christmas is a day that makes them think of spending time with friends and family, eating together and sharing gifts. But for Richard Farquhar, Christmas will forever be a reminder...
Christmas newsletter 2024
By Jo Lambert, Chief Executive Officer
Meri Kirihimete, and welcome to the final edition of your monthly Stroke Foundation newsletter for 2024.
In this issue...
We know Christmas can be a difficult time for some people, especially if you've been affected by stroke. For my family, Christmas changed forever after Mum’s stroke. But I really believe we cannot let the shock of stroke, or the injustice that follows, destroy the importance of our family traditions and spoil the good times we have with whānau. With the backing of people like you, we'll continue to fight for the rights of stroke survivors and their loved ones, connecting them to the support and benefits they are entitled to, making sure noone needs to feel alone at Christmas or any day of the year.
In this issue, you’ll learn practical ways you can reduce your risk of stroke during the holidays, hear from a stroke survivor who experienced a stroke on Christmas Day, and have the opportunity to share your own story.
Just 30 minutes of exercise five times a week can reduce your risk of stroke by 25%.
Ways to reduce your stroke risk this summer
Gardening, swimming, and cycling are great ways to take advantage of the warmer weather and get your heart racing.
You can also keep an eye on your alcohol intake to reduce stroke risk. And if you're cooking Christmas dinner, try seasoning with herbs and spices instead of salt, as consuming too much salt can increase blood pressure and the risk of stroke.
Richard's story
Your Challenge: Have a fun and relaxing summer break
Even if you don't celebrate Christmas, this is still a great time of year to take a breather, spend time with loved ones, and if you can, enjoy the sunshine!
From December 21st, the Stroke Foundation team will be taking a break over the Christmas period, and we will be back in action on Monday 6th January. Your next Stroke Foundation newsletter will be in your inbox in February 2025. Ngā mihi o te Kirihimete me te Tau Hou - wishing you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,
Jo Lambert
Chief Executive Officer | The Stroke Foundation of New Zealand