On behalf of local stroke survivors and the Stroke Foundation, I would like to thank members of the community who took on Run Melbourne, on July 29, and raised funds continue the fight against stroke.
A total of 64 participants took part, including 93 year old Ken Lyons. Many of the members of Team #Fightstroke, including Team BGL, Walk for Nany Cita and Castiel Shepp walked in honour of loved ones who had been impacted by stroke.
I sincerely thank those who took part and the families, friends, colleagues and community members who backed their efforts. I am excited to announce that with your support, we collectively clocked up almost 1000 kilometres and raised almost $18,000. These donations will enable Stroke Foundation to continue to partner with the community to prevent, treat and beat stroke.
Sadly, there will be more than 14,000 strokes in Victoria this year alone. There is one stroke in Australia every nine minutes.
Stroke attacks the brain – the human control centre, changing lives in an instant. The impact of a stroke is felt well beyond the individual, with families lives also turned upside down by this devastating disease.
Most of Team #Fightstroke know this story only too well after either suffering a stroke themselves or witnessing the impact of stroke on someone they care about.
But stroke’s impact doesn’t need to be this great. Around 80 per cent of strokes are preventable, and with the right treatment at the right time many people can recover from stroke.
Looking after our own health is the first step. Physical inactivity is now the second highest risk factor for stroke behind high blood pressure, so it’s time to follow the lead of Team #Fightstroke and get moving.
Find out how you can reduce your stroke risk and support the fight against stroke at www.strokefoundation.org.au
Sharon McGowan, CEO, Stroke Foundation
