National Stroke Week is just around the corner and this year, Stroke Foundation is calling on all Australians to unite and help fight stroke together.
Stroke is one of Australia's biggest killers and a leading cause of disability. Each year an estimated 27,000 people experience their first stroke, which is one every 19 minutes.
Starting on Monday, August 7, the theme of this year's National Stroke Week is 'Fighting Stroke Together,' which highlights the need to work together to prevent stroke. It also shines a light on the recovery outcomes that occur when people work together when a stroke strikes.
Stroke Foundation Chief Executive Officer Dr Lisa Murphy said you can join the fight by learning and sharing the F.A.S.T. (Face, Arms, Speech and Time) signs of stroke with your family and friends.
"Stroke does not discriminate. In fact, the rate of stroke in young Australian adults aged 18 to 65 is rising but the good news is there are some key things you can do to reduce your risk of having a stroke," Dr Murphy said.
"These include, exercising regularly, eating healthily, not smoking and visiting your GP for regular health checks for risk factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes."
Council buildings, major bridges and even Australia's largest shopping centre have, for a second year, joined the effort to help fight stroke together, lighting up in Stroke Foundation's colours during the major awareness week.
"I'm so grateful to have the support of the more than 70 different organisation's who are willing to light up in green and blue to help shine a light on this insidious disease," Dr Murphy said.
"By lighting up their landmarks, which includes clock towers, libraries, town halls, theaters and even the Big Banana, we're fighting stroke together and drawing attention to the ways stroke impacts communities."
Stroke can happen to anyone, at any time. Even newborn babies can have strokes. When a stroke happens, more than 1.9 million brain cells die each minute. The longer a stroke remains untreated, the greater the chance of stroke-related brain damage.
"Stroke takes a person out of their community, that might be for a short term or permanently. The impact is far reaching and touches families, workplaces and community groups," she said.
"The good news is that stroke can be treated, and people can recover well but only if more people can recognise the F.A.S.T. message. Calling an ambulance at the first sign of stroke saves and reduces life-long disability."
Think F.A.S.T and ask these questions if you suspect a stroke:
Face - Check their face. Has their mouth drooped?
Arms - Can they lift both arms?
Speech - Is their speech slurred? Do they understand you?
Time - Time is critical. If you see any of these signs, call triple zero (000) straight away
National Stroke Week is proudly supported by Major Sponsors: EMVision, AbbVie, and AstraZeneca, and Supporting Sponsors: Precision Group and Rossmax Australia.
The landmarks lighting up on various days during Stroke Week are:
- Telstra Tower, Acton - ACT
- National Museum of Australia, Acton - ACT
- Royal Australian Mint, Deakin - ACT
- Questacon, Parkes - ACT
- Canberra Times Foundation, Canberra - ACT
- City Renewal Authority, Canberra - ACT
- The Big Banana, Coffs Harbour - NSW
- City of Newcastle assets, Newcastle - NSW
- Holbrook Submarine Museum, Holbrook - NSW
- City of Palmerston assets, Palmerston - NT
- Pacific Fair Shopping Centre, Gold Coast, - QLD
- Brisbane City Council assets, Brisbane - QLD
- Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Brisbane - QLD
- Story Bridge, Brisbane - QLD
- Sir Leo Hielscher Bridge, Brisbane - QLD
- Kurilpa Bridge, Brisbane - QLD
- Treasury Casino, Brisbane - QLD
- Longreach Water Tower, Longreach - QLD
- Isle of Capri - Gold Coast, QLD
- Victora Street Bridge, Toowoomba - QLD
- Toowoomba Annex, Toowoomba - QLD
- Townsville City Council assets, Toowoomba - QLD
- Victoria Bridge, Townsville - QLD
- Wharton Reef Lighthouse, Townsville - QLD
- Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville - QLD
- Maryborough City Hall, Maryborough - QLD
- Pialba Avenue Fig Trees, Pialba - QLD
- Hervey Bay Esplanade, Hervey Bay - QLD
- Adelaide Oval, North Adelaide - SA
- Riddoch Arts and Cultural Centre, Mount Gambier - SA
- Lady Nelson Visitor Centre, Mount Gambier - SA
- Parliament House, Adelaide - SA
- South Australia Health and Medical Research Centre, Adelaide - SA
- City of Charles Sturt assets, Woodville - SA
- Burnie City Council assets, Burnie - TAS
- Geelong Gaol, Geelong - VIC
- AAMI Park, Melbourne - VIC
- Box Hill Town Hall, Box Hill - VIC
- Kingston City Hall, Cheltenham - VIC
- Broadmeadows Town Hall, Broadmeadows - VIC
- Moonee Valley Clock Tower, Moonee Valley - VIC
- Melbourne Town Hall, Melbourne - VIC
- Monash University, Clayton - VIC
- Chadstone Shopping Centre, Chadstone - VIC
- Old Treasury Building, East Melbourne - VIC
- Red Energy Building, Cremorne - VIC
- Hotel Sorrento, Sorrento - VIC
- Castlemaine Market Building, Castlemaine - VIC
- Kensington Town Hall, Kensington - VIC
- CityLink Sound Tube, Flemington - VIC
- Cardinia Cultural Centre, Pakenham - VIC
- Bolte Bridge, Melbourne - VIC
- Melbourne GPO, Melbourne - VIC
- City of Albany assets, Albany - WA
- Perth Cultural Centre, Perth - WA
- City of Greater Geraldton assets, Geraldton - WA
- City of Bunbury assets, Bunbury - WA
- Koombana Bay Footbridge, Bunbury - WA
- Richmond Reserve, Bunbury - WA
- The Historic Arrol Crane, Bunbury - WA
- The Bell Tower, Perth - WA
- Mindeerup Parkland, South Perth - WA
- Main Street, Margaret River - WA
- City of Busselton Council Offices, Busselton - WA
- William Grundt Memorial Library, Kalgoorlie - WA
- Eastern Goldfields Community Centre, Kalgoorlie - WA
- Mandurah Bridge, Mandurah - WA
- City of Rockingham Council Assets, Rockingham - WA
- City of Nedlands Council Assets, Nedlands - WA
- Fremantle Heritage Prison, Fremantle - WA
