Peggy Bourne Supports Intensive Care Research

Media Release

1 July 2003

PEGGY BOURNE SUPPORTS

INTENSIVE CARE RESEARCH APPEAL

With memories of a tragic intensive care experience still fresh in her mind, Peggy Bourne, wife of loved Kiwi rally driver, the late Possum Bourne, has become the first Intensive Care life-supporter for the 2003 Intensive Care Appeal, which begins today (subs 1 July) and runs through until 14 July.

Wearing a glitter "hospital-style" wristband, the fund-raising item for the appeal, Peggy Bourne said although her association with the appeal was personally sad, it was something she wanted to do.

"No-one wants to be in intensive care, it was something that just happened for us, as it happens for almost everyone admitted. I saw the strength and dedication of the highly-trained people working in intensive care and now, knowing that research can play such an important part in saving lives, this is something I am doing for me, the children and for Possum.

Peggy Bourne was also the first New Zealander to use the "Become a Life Supporter" appeal brochure, which will now be placed in intensive care units and mailed to ANZ Bank customers.

"Like so many people whose lives are touched by an intensive care experience, you say, 'What can I do to help?'. Now there is something - contribute to research - help the intensive care specialists help their patients."

The Australia and New Zealand Intensive Care appeal raises funds for research into the four main areas of intensive care - brain and lung injury, infection and overall prevention. The Australia and New Zealand Intensive Care Foundation, aims to improve the number and quality of lives saved through intensive care management in Intensive Care Units across New Zealand and Australia.

If intensive care survival can be increased by as little as two percent, an extra 3,000 lives will be saved each year. This figure is equivalent to the combined annual road toll of the two countries.

Each year 20,000 New Zealanders are admitted to New Zealand's 31 intensive care units.

Wristbands carrying the tag line "I'm a life supporter" can be purchased nationwide for $2 from ANZ branches, Radio Pacific/Radioworks stations, Unichem and Dispensary First pharmacies and from New Zealand's 31 Intensive Care Units. Street appeals will be held in Nelson (3 July); Palmerston North, Whangarei, Hamilton and Christchurch (4 July); and central Auckland (9 July).

Principal partners of the New Zealand appeal are PMI Mortgage Insurance and ANZ Banking Group.

Ends

Information from: Australia and New Zealand Intensive Care Appeal

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