Recruiting StrokeSafe Ambassadors Tasmania
Posted 13th July, 2012
The National Stroke Foundation is now recruiting for StrokeSafe ambassadors who will play a critical role in stroke prevention within the Tasmanian community.
One in six people will have a stroke in their lifetime. But stroke can be prevented. With the help of volunteer StrokeSafe ambassadors that the National Stroke Foundation has had the capacity to further expand education in local communities about stroke, prevention and the need to get immediate treatment.
Since 2010 individuals have given up their time to present stroke prevention messages to a wide range of groups including; community groups, organisations, service clubs and social groups. In doing so they have helped the Foundation in its mission to stop stroke, save lives and end suffering.
Understanding the signs of stroke and the FAST message (Face, Arms, Speech and Time) plays an important role in stroke recovery.
F.A.S.T is an easy way to remember and recognise the signs of stroke:
- 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 000 now
Mellissa Radford suffered a stroke at the age of 26 while asleep. She did not go to the hospital until the next day. It took Mellissa a week of intensive therapy and a total of 12 months to regain a normal feeling in her body post stroke.
“The biggest part for me afterwards is knowing what could have happened and knowing how fortunate I am,” Mellissa said.
Mellissa is now set to promote stroke awareness in the community and will form part of the Tasmanian StrokeSafe ambassador team.
National Stroke Foundation CEO Dr Erin Lalor said the StrokeSafe ambassador program has been a great success. In 2011, 242 talks were held nationwide, reaching 7133 people with the important FAST message.
The formal StrokeSafe ambassador program is expanding to include Tasmania and the Foundation is currently recruiting.
“Many people don’t realise that every 10 minutes an Australian suffers a stroke and this condition is a leading cause of death and disability.” Dr Lalor said.
The Foundation is looking to recruit ambassadors who are passionate about raising awareness of stroke and reducing the impact of stroke on their local community.
If you are interested in becoming a StrokeSafe ambassador in Tasmania contact:
Narelle Byatt: e) volunteer@strokefoundation.com.au or p) 1800 787 653
This program has been made possible with support from Bayer Australia.