Stroke awareness events held

Woy Woy Stroke Recovery Club held a number of events across the Peninsula during Stroke Awareness Week last month.

Club coordinator Ms Helen Anderson said: "Our local club held two hydrotherapy pool sessions at Woy Woy Hospital and a day-trip to Wangi Wangi Workers Club for its members," Ms Anderson said.

"We also held an information store at Deepwater Plaza Shopping Centre on September 18, to allow other community members to have their blood pressure and risk factors screened and learn more about the early warning signs of a stroke.

"We provided screenings to more than 80 residents, who had the opportunity to take their results and show them to their local GP.

"Having stroke survivors and carers at the shopping centre was very important and provided the general public with the opportunity to gain a personal perspective on stroke recovery.

"To finish off our busy week, the club held a luncheon at Woy Woy Sporties."

Ms Anderson said the highlight of the week was selling tartan Stroke Awareness Week ribbons to raise money for the National Stroke Foundation.

She said the club also distributed free wallet sized "fast" cards to members of the public highlighting the warning signs and actions to take in the likelihood of a stroke.

Ms Anderson said FAST was an acronym for: Facial weakness, Arm weakness, Speech difficulties, Time to act fast and call 000.

"On average around 750 people experience a stroke on the Central Coast per year," Ms Anderson said.

"Stroke is the third leading cause of death in Australia and it can happen at any age and is the leading cause of disability.

"The activities throughout Stroke Awareness Week raised awareness about stroke causes and symptoms."

Stroke Awareness Week ran from September 15 to 22.

Press release, 9 Oct 2008 Helen Anderson, Woy Woy Stroke Recovery Club