Brenda receives her OAM for stroke awareness

A Woy Woy resident has received an Order of Australia Medal for her outstanding contribution to helping raise awareness of stroke.

Ms Brenda Booth received the honour during a ceremony at Government House Sydney on September 5.

The award coincided with National Stroke Week (September 2-8), which shines a spotlight on the condition across the nation.

Ms Booth has worked in a voluntary capacity to improve the state of stroke at a national, state and local level.

She was an member of the Stroke Foundation Consumer Council helping drive the charity's work, is involved in a local stroke support group, and raises awareness of stroke in the community through public speaking and advocacy.

Ms Booth said she was flattered to be receiving an Order of Australia Medal.

"It's so important to effect change for the better, in direct care, rehabilitation, research, raising awareness and helping others to recognise the signs of stroke," Ms Booth said.

NSW Stroke Foundation state manager Ms Rhian Paton-Kelly applauded Ms Booth's achievement and her commitment to stemming the impact of stroke.

"Brenda has been a vital member of the Stroke Foundation for a number of years, and has had a huge impact on her community, raising awareness about the debilitating effects of stroke, and how it can be prevented," Ms Paton-Kelly said.

This National Stroke Week the theme was "fast" heroes, recognising the people who spotted the signs of stroke and called an ambulance straight away, potentially saving a life.

She said signs of stroke could be remembered with the acronym FAST, for face, arms, speech and time.

"If my Mum hadn't recognised my signs and quickly called an ambulance, I think my outcome would have been very different," Ms Booth said.

Stroke is one Australia's biggest killers and a leading cause of disability.

There are expected to be around 500 strokes in the Robertson electorate this year, and almost 4000 stroke survivors are living in the electorate.

SOURCE:

Media release, 3 Sep 2019

Stephanie Deller, Stroke Foundation