One man, one road, one cycle for asthma control

One man, one road, one cycle raising awareness of poor asthma control in New Zealand

Roger Honeybun is cycling more than 1,000 kilometres from Christchurch to Auckland to raise awareness of poor asthma control in New Zealand. Roger’s great nephew, Sean Hedley, tragically died from an exacerbation of asthma at just nine years old.

The One Man, One Road, One Cycle awareness campaign will take place from 13-21 March and Roger will travel 1,000 kilometres along State Highway 1 over nine days to raise awareness about asthma control and to help raise funds for Asthma New Zealand.

Roger will be joined by asthma nurse educators who will run a Mobile Asthma Clinic in Christchurch, Nelson, Porirua, Palmerston North, Wanganui, Taupo, Rotorua, Hamilton and Auckland where locals can undertake an Asthma Control Test free of charge and can obtain information and advice. The Mobile Asthma Clinic will be open between 10am and 2pm at Bunnings stores (schedule below) throughout the country or people can go online to www.asthma-nz.org.nz to undertake the test.

“Sean’s death was devastating for our family, but I wanted something positive to come from it. I am lucky enough not to have suffered from any sort of infirmity in my life and I was amazed that, in this day and age, children like Sean are still dying of this incredibly common affliction,” said Roger.

New Zealand has the second highest prevalence of asthma in the world affecting one in four children and one in six adults in New Zealand. It estimated that it costs the country over $1 billion annually.

Furthermore, research shows that more than half (54%) of those with Asthma in New Zealand are under-treated and do not have control of their asthma.

“Many people with asthma think they have their asthma under control when they don’t – they have just accepted the symptoms as part of life,” said Linda Thompson from Asthma New Zealand. “If someone is using their asthma reliever more than twice a week then this indicates that their asthma is not under control. If asthma is well managed it shouldn’t interfere with an individual’s quality of life or daily activities.”

“Because asthma is a chronic disease a perception exists that asthma is not all that serious, but it is. It is a disease that can kill and it currently kills more than 100 New Zealanders each year. Treatments exist to achieve asthma control and it’s upon us to ensure New Zealanders are aware of this and know how to best manage their asthma.”

As part of the One Man, One Road, One Cycle asthma control campaign, Asthma New Zealand is running a TXT campaign until May 30 where people can make a $3 donation by texting “ASTHMA” to 4711 or donations can be made on-site along Roger’s cycle route or online at www.asthma-nz.org.nz.

Bike Barn, Bunnings and GlaxoSmithKline are proud supporters of the One Man One Road One Cycle challenge. Roger and Asthma New Zealand have also set up a Facebook page outlining his journey called One Man, One Road, One Cycle.

ENDS