June is Stroke Month in Canada
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Posted by Thomas Alan Gray Jun 10, 2009 |
I've canvassed for the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada (Alberta, NWT, & Nunavut) for the past two years, and this year volunteered as a district captain (supervising a group of volunteer canvassers).
The campaign serves three purposes:
- To collect funds for medical research to improve treatment, survival rates, and recovery
- To increase awareness of the issues, signs, and symptoms of heart and stroke problems
- To promote healthy living as a method of reducing risk
There is a personal reason for my involvement: eight years ago, my father had a heart attack followed by a stroke that left him partially paralyzed. Heart trouble runs in my family. This campaign means a great deal to me because of those things.
One couple on my route had a daughter who died of a stroke in March, 2008. She was 38 and left behind a husband and two children. When I called on the parents last June, it was a difficult time, but they welcomed my visit and urged me to tell everyone I spoke to about the symptoms of stroke and of the benefits of research into better treatment for helping stroke recovery.
So here are the symptoms. If you experience sudden onset of these things, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately, or get help from someone nearby.
- Weakness
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Trouble speaking
- Vision problems
There are lifestyle and familial factors that may increase your risk of having a stroke. Take the H&SF test to see if you are at higher risk. It will be ten minutes well-spent.
The Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada, and its equivalent in your country, needs volunteers. It's a good chance to get around your own neighborhood and chat with the neighbors. It normally takes only a few hours (depending on how much you chat!) and I can complete my route in two evenings or one Saturday morning, with another evening for call-backs.
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