Laureen Brown
Embarking on a new role at CanTeen, Lauren Brown hoped to make a difference in the lives of young people living with cancer. But she didn’t expect it t
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A recent visit to a patient at Southland Hospital proved “a big eye-opener” for Mrs Brown, who was left breathless after tackling a flight of stairs.
“By the time I actually got to her ward, it had taken me the whole entire corridor to catch my breath – it was so embarrassing,” she said.
“It really struck me that she (the patient) has got to go through all these horrible experiences and has no choice. But I’m not sick, I don’t have cancer, yet I’m probably more unfit than she is.
“I actually have a choice to be as healthy as I like.”
As reality sunk in, Mrs Brown made the decision to lose weight and adopt a healthier lifestyle – with CanTeen also benefitting.
The organisation’s annual Bandanna Challenge campaign will be staged from October 16-31, with people encouraged to purchase a bandanna from supporting retailers as well as take part in local fundraising events to raise vital funds.
“Every dollar raised through local initiatives stays in Southland and provides the resources for everything that we do at CanTeen,” Mrs Brown said.
“Losing weight is my challenge and, with the support of sponsors, I will raise money for CanTeen in the process … it’s two-pronged in that I’m going to benefit physically and CanTeen will benefit financially.”
This week she launched her quest and completed an official weigh-in, attracted her first 15 sponsors and, on the recommendation of her doctor, started a Green Prescription (GRx) – a Ministry of Health initiative run by Sport Southland which provides support and specialised advice to get active.
Pre-existing health conditions, including coeliac disease, ruled out some traditional forms of exercise but Mrs Brown was determined to find alternatives.
“I’ve been racking my brain trying to come up with something but now, after talking to the team at Sport Southland, I have the strategies in place to achieve my goals,” Mrs Brown said.
“This journey won’t finish after 12 weeks – this is just the start of a new lifestyle.”
Sport Southland Active Lifestyles Manager Yvette McKenzie said Green Prescription was changing lives with 67 percent of Southland patients surveyed noticing a change in their health since they “went green” and 60 percent more active after six to eight months.
“Sport Southland is currently helping 248 Green Prescription patients to reap the health benefits of activities such as walking or swimming,” Ms McKenzie said.
“Each year, 900 Southlanders fill a Green Prescription and benefitting most are those with conditions such as heart disease, hypertension, diabetes and obesity. It is fantastic to see the difference that the programme can make to people’s quality and enjoyment of life.”
Over 30,000 people throughout New Zealand are currently following a Green Prescription. To complement Green Prescription, Sport Southland will soon have community-based physical activity programmes.
