4 minute read
Breathe Better September
Breathe Better September is back and better than ever!
The Foundation’s annual Breathe Better September appeal kicks off this month, and we are asking Kiwis to step up for their own lung health and to raise money for our work on behalf of New Zealanders with respiratory conditions.
Advertisement
Last year, 250 people signed up to do a better breathing challenge in September, raising a total of $15,598. Foundation chief executive Letitia Harding says this was a significant achievement, given the 2021 campaign was disrupted by a COVID-19 lockdown. “There was such an impressive effort from so many of our supporters last year despite not everything going as planned. We are hopeful that New Zealanders will step up again, given how many of us know someone directly affected by respiratory illnesses.”
With 1 in 6 New Zealanders living with a respiratory illness, everyone has a friend, family member or colleague who at times struggles to breathe. “We have one of the highest rates of asthma in the world. Respiratory diseases are the third most common cause of death in New Zealand and cost an estimated $7 billion every year. The Foundation is working hard to change those outcomes, but without Government funding, we are reliant on the generous support of New Zealanders who understand the seriousness of respiratory conditions and who want to make a difference,” says Letitia.
The Foundation is hoping to raise $20,000 this September with the help of our supporters.
How it works
Visit our website: breathebetterseptember.co.nz and sign up to do a challenge for the month of September. You can choose the challenge that suits you: running, walking, singing, dancing aerobics or some breathing relaxation exercises.
Commit to doing this challenge for at least 16 minutes a day (for the 1 in 6 people with respiratory disease in New Zealand).
Sign up to do an individual challenge, or get together with friends, workmates or family for a team challenge.
The next step is to invite your community to support your challenge. People can donate directly to your profile page on the Breathe Better September website. All the money raised during the campaign will directly fund the Foundation’s education, research and advocacy work.
Scan the QR code to visit the Breathe Better September website
www.breathebetterseptember.co.nz
Why do it?
As well as raising funds for a fantastic cause, you will improve your own lung health (and maybe the lung health of your teammates!). As an added incentive, we have some amazing prizes that have been supplied by our generous Friends of the Foundation and other business supporters. Everyone who raises more than $20 during Breathe Better September will go in the prize draw.
Just want to donate?
If doing a challenge isn’t for you, you can always make a donation. You can donate via the QR code or choose a challenger to support through our website:
Stepping it up with Team Jump Jam
Breathe Better September is receiving a turbo-charged boost from iconic kids’ aerobics company Jump Jam this year.
Jump Jam creator, and New Zealand aerobics legend, Brett Fairweather will be sharing eight of his all-time favourite workouts across the month and encouraging Kiwis to join him for a quick, fun-filled aerobics routine. “Jump Jam has been keeping kids active for over 20 years, so I am really happy to be able to use our resources to help this fantastic cause,” he says.
Brett is hoping current and past fans will jump at the chance to join Team Jump Jam this September. “The Foundation does such important work. Everyone in New
Zealand knows someone with asthma or a respiratory condition. They deserve to have full and active lives, and the Foundation is working to make that happen.”
Find out more about Team Jump Jam here:
