Care
HEALTH HERO Diabetes NZ joined forces with Brett Renall and Men’s Health Week/Te Wiki Hauora Tāne to remind every man living with diabetes to get regular health checks, as Jo Chapman explains.
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e all know that men aren’t always the best when it comes to looking after their health, going to the doctor, or following a dietian’s (or anyone else’s!) advice. Thinking about MANLY health concerns, Diabetes NZ is always keen to spread the word about the importance of men looking after their health and knowing their numbers (blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure). So, when we were asked to partner with the Men’s Health Week campaign for 2018 we said yes without hesitation. But we needed a health hero with widespread public appeal to help us get across some key diabetesrelated messages that would connect with our wonderful Kiwi men and their loved ones. We wanted someone who “gets it”, who understands the importance of investing in their health and successfully managing diabetes for a long and healthy life. Someone with a trusted media profile in New Zealand who could connect with men of all ages and walks of life. We chose to partner with small business owner and reality TV star Brett Renall, who was up for the challenge. During Men’s Health Week in June, I was lucky enough to spend the day with Brett filming TV3’s The Café show. In some ways Brett, 35, is a typical Kiwi guy. He has his own business called Woodpecker Signs, which creates signs for farms and other businesses. He plays rugby,
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DIABETES WELLNESS | Spring 2018
Brett, with Geoff Barton, director Men’s Health Week, preparing for The Café interview Top: Brett and his wife Angel
touch, likes crossfit, mountain biking, cricket and snowboarding, hangs out with his mates, has travelled around the world, lived in different countries. He’s a son, a brother, a husband and doggy dad to Cashew, the super-loved French bulldog. Brett has also lived with type 1 diabetes since 1990, when he was diagnosed as a 7-year-old. You may also know Brett as the man who shot to stardom as the groom from the successful couple from Married at First Sight NZ. During the series, Brett talked with his new wife Angel about type 1 diabetes and what it was like
