Stroke Foundation is marking a major milestone with a vow to continue fighting for the best treatment and care for South Australians living with the impacts of stroke.
This month marks Stroke Foundation’s 25-year anniversary. The not-for-profit is the only national organisation focused on stroke prevention, treatment, and recovery for all Australians.
This is critical in South Australia, where 2,100 people experienced a stroke for the first time last year, and where 35,000 people are already living with the impact of stroke. Stroke Foundation’s research No Postcode Untouched has identified the Federal electorate of Sturt as a national stroke hotspot, with 3575 survivors of stroke living in the community.
Stroke Foundation’s State Manager for South Australia, Luke Hays, says that is why the organisation works hard to ensure there is a range of services for people impacted by stroke.
“It can be as simple as knowing the F.A.S.T message, as that knowledge genuinely saves lives.”
Thinking F.A.S.T involves asking these simple questions:
Face Check their face. Has their mouth drooped?
Arms Can they lift both arms?
Speech Is their speech slurred? Do they understand you?
Time is critical. If you see any of these signs call triple zero (000) straight away
Mr Hays says another highlight of Stroke Foundation’s first 25 years has been the establishment of the free national phone service StrokeLine. This is not an emergency service but a support line which offers practical and confidential advice.
“Our next 25 years at Stroke Foundation will be focused on championing research and new avenues in prevention, treatment, and recovery to make the future brighter and help people with stroke live well.”
