Here you have my translation of HRH Crown Princess Mary's speech at the opening of the Heart Week on April 27:
Speech given by HRH Crown Princess Mary Elizabeth of Denmark at the opening of the Heart Week on April 27, 2006.
We must take care of the hearts of the Danes.
Each of us must. And we must do so together. Both in helping each other to prevent heart disease, and in helping those who have already fallen ill.
This year’s Heart Week reminds us that heart diseases are sadly still the most common cause of death in Denmark. Every third Dane is struck and killed by a cardiovascular disease. This is a grave and painful message.
Today, we mark the opening of this year’s Heart Week with a present for all of those willing to help. Both to those who wants to help themselves and to those who want to help others.
”The heart cars” are a new health initiative, meant to make it easier to remember the health of the heart in everyday life.
As of today, ”the heart cars” will drive around the country and meet people where they go about and meet. This might be at the market or at the stadium and not least, at places of work.
“The heart cars” will visit Danish cities and Danish work places with the help to prevent cardiac disorders in everyday life. In this way, the cars are a gift to all Danes.
The gift comes from the Danish Heart Association and from Codan Care who has made the initiative possible though their sponsorship. Other companies also support the good idea.
The cause of fighting heart disease depends on far-seeing companies seeing it as their task to take responsibility for the public health by giving support to both the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
In “the heart cars”, we have all received an important tool for promoting cardiac health every day. It is my hope that enterprises and employees around the country will welcome the cars, and avail themselves of the fine offer that they are.
I am happy to be able to declare this year’s Heart Week open by letting the first “heart cars” drive out on duty.
Finally, I would like to wish all of those who, together or individually, help fighting cardiovascular diseases a very happy “Heart Week”.