In an effort to commemorate World Health Day (7 April 2019) and to raise awareness for cardiac health, technology giant Philips South Africa, with the help of staff and like-minded South African citizens, set a new Guinness World Record by helping a local cyclist draw the world’s biggest digital heart!
Spreading Heart Health Awareness Through Innovative Outreach
The record attempt was the finale in a series of activities held by Philips for the occasion. Among other events, 2000 South Africans undertook stationary bike challenges to endorse Philips’ pledge to donate 25 automated external defibrillators (AED) to the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Then, three cyclists – Kevin Benkenstein, Dion Guy and Pieter Seyffertt – rode 2,200km from Klein Constantia Estate near Cape Town to Kyalami Race Track in Johannesburg. Intrepid Philips staff accompanied them on parts of the journey. Their route, as marked on a map, resembles a digital ECG heartbeat.
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Benkenstein then topped it all off by accepting Philips’ challenge to cycle 510km, with his route marking out the shape of a heart. As the GPS tracked his route, the world’s biggest heart slowly took shape! He cycled from Bloemfontein to Kimberley, then to Boshof, Hertzogville and Bultfontein, before finishing off where he started in the City of Roses.
Aside from bringing about the donation of much-needed equipment to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, the new record has effectively raised awareness regarding cardiovascular health and disease – a vital topic in a country where between 200 and 250 people die of heart disease every day.
After the completion of the challenges, Philips Africa CEO Jasper Westerink said: “We are committed to our goal of creating healthier communities by 2030, and with the support of the Philips Foundation, our Back to Rhythm campaign has elevated this vision. Moving forward, I can’t wait to see how we can collectively build on this momentum to drive bigger conversations and sustainable action around the need to prioritise heart health as a nation.”
Glenmed & Philips Care About Heart Health
Glenmed Professional Healthcare Solutions is a proud authorised dealer of Philips South Africa’s products. We stand in full support of their efforts to raise awareness around cardiovascular health and congratulate them on their world record. For more information about their products, or to place an order, contact us.