Stellenbosch University’s (SU) annual heart awareness campaign moved virtual this year, with a five-kilometre run completed by students and staff members.
This annual campaign, organised by SU’s Campus Health Services (CHS) from 24 September to 29 September, emphasized the importance of exercise in the prevention of heart disease.
According to Martin Viljoen, spokesperson for SU, 38 students and 21 staff members took part in the run
“It’s actually the third year running that we are doing a heart awareness campaign in the month of September, but because of lockdown, I wanted to do a virtual run instead,” said dr Jo-Anne Kirby, medical officer at CHS.
This year’s heart awareness campaign took on the form of a run as exercise was a practical way to get the message of the campaign out, Kirby said.
CHS decided to make the virtual run the flagship project of the campaign as it gave the opportunity to get the whole institution involved from across all campuses, according to dr Pierre Viviers, senior director at CHS.
“We hope to introduce people to exercise and initiate lifestyle changes which will be beneficial to the health of individuals,” he said.
Various prizes were available for those that completed the run in the fastest time, Kirby said. These prizes were sponsored internally by SU and by some external sponsors, including Montagu Snacks, she said.
“We decided to support the university’s virtual heart awareness run as it aligns with our brand values to support a healthier lifestyle,” said Liesl Carstens, marketing manager for Montagu Snacks.
In addition to the run, there will be pre-graduate lectures in the field of Exercise is Medicine (EIM) and a health leadership course presented through the Frederik van Zyl Slabbert Institute for Student Leadership Development, said Viviers.