A lifelong dedication to heart health

Published: 30 October 2024

Margaret, a retired nurse from Reefton in the Buller area, has spent her life working in healthcare. She has witnessed firsthand the incredible advancements in heart research and volunteers every year for the Heart Foundation’s Big Heart Appeal.

With a career spanning over five decades, including 22 years as a district nurse, Margaret's connection to heart health began early in her career as a cardiac thoracic nurse, working in hospitals in Hamilton, Christchurch, and even Saudi Arabia. 

Over the years, she witnessed the evolution of treatments for heart disease, from open-heart surgeries to less invasive procedures like stenting. 

"When I started, there was so much open-heart surgery," Margaret recalls. "Now, the progress in cardiac care is incredible."

Now retired, Margaret has become a volunteer area coordinator for her town of Reefton, driven by her passion for helping others and making a difference in the fight against heart disease. 

“It’s amazing how far we’ve come,” she reflects. “The money raised really does go into research, and I’ve seen the difference it makes.”  

After retiring three years ago, Margaret, who has always been community-minded, found herself looking for ways to stay engaged and give back. Two years ago, she saw an advertisement calling for volunteers for the Heart Foundation's Big Heart Appeal. 

With no existing collection sites in her area, she took the initiative to get involved, rallying others to help. 

"I just wanted to make a difference and raise some money," she explains.

Margaret's personal connection to heart disease became even more significant when a colleague's husband suffered a cardiac arrest at the races five years ago. Margaret, her fellow nurses, paramedics and the rescue helicopter, were all involved in his resuscitation. The patient was flown directly to Christchurch hospital where he sadly later died. The experience reinforced her dedication to heart health. 

"It was a real reminder of how quickly heart disease can strike," she says.

Heart disease has touched Margaret’s family as well. Her father had a heart attack at 45 and, although treated conservatively, he passed away at 52. 

Her sister’s partner also had a heart attack while out to dinner in Nelson, but thanks to the quick response from the paramedics and the presence of a nearby cardiologist, he had a stent inserted within a couple of hours at Nelson hospital. 

“He crows to the world that it was the best thing that ever happened to him,” she says.

These personal experiences have deepened Margaret’s commitment to the volunteering cause.

"Everybody has a story," she says. "You meet people with pacemakers, congenital heart problems, or who've survived heart attacks. Just listening to them is quite interesting."

She finds that simply engaging with passersby can make all the difference. "People often walk past, but if you say, ‘Hi, would you like a heart sticker?’ they stop, come back, and engage with you. And then they donate." 

One of Margaret’s most memorable experiences as a volunteer was last year when 800 caravans came through the local racecourse, and the Heart Foundation raised a substantial amount of money. 

"It was incredible to see so many people come together for a cause that means so much," she says. 

For anyone considering volunteering, Margaret has simple advice: "Contact your local organisers. They’ll look after you and get you sorted. It’s only for a couple of hours, and it’s easy to stand there with your collection bucket. We’re very visible with our aprons and signage, and people are so generous with their time and donations." 

She also notes that many people have approached her after seeing her volunteer, offering to help out next time. 

"They always say, 'If you need a hand, let me know.' It’s heartwarming how generous people can be."

Supporting the Heart Foundation is crucial to Margaret because she believes that it can help prevent heart disease in the future. 

"We can make a difference," she says firmly. "Raising awareness from a young age, funding research, investing in education and prevention programmes—it all saves lives. When people are aware of these stories, they know what to do."

For Margaret, it all comes back to the importance of heart research. 

"It’s because of research that so many people are being saved today," she says. "I’ve seen it firsthand. That’s why I volunteer—for the chance to make a difference and support something so important."