Work towards a new vaccine to protect against rheumatic fever has been given a funding boost by the Heart Foundation.
New Zealand is one of the few developed countries to still struggle with high rates of the debilitating disease and the vaccine could save hundreds of lives.
Several times a week fitness instructor Helene Kay helps people get their hearts pumping, but two years ago her own heart wasn't working so well.
After being diagnosed with rheumatic heart disease, she had major surgery to replace two valves.
"I thought I was quite invincible really, but yes, that diagnosis just threw me," she said.
Ms Kay had no idea she'd had rheumatic fever as a child, which caused the damage.
"Really surprising, I was in shock for ages...and that really impacted on how I felt...I was devastated."
Rheumatic fever is often found in developing countries, but last year there were 160 new cases in New Zealand, affecting mostly children and Māori and pacific communities.
However, now a new vaccine is being developed which mimics the bacterial infection which leads to the disease.
Dr Jacelyn Loh, a researcher at University of Auckland said, "by doing this we can prime the body without making it sick, to be ready for when a real infection comes along."
The vaccine targets a strain of the disease only found in the country, and although it won't be on the market for a few more years, it's already predicted to be life changing for Kiwis.
"We never want to see people affected by rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease...the ultimate would be that we would not have that in New Zealand," said Heath Foundation chairman Professor Rob Doughty.
The Heart Foundation is now funding further research to investigate the possibility that the vaccine could be in a liquid form and easily administered.
"Let's get out children vaccinated and get them on a good path so they don't have to end up like me," said Ms Kay.
Hope grows for Kiwis that the debilitating disease can finally be banished.
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