Ask Congress to Show Their Support for the Stroke Community.

Ask Congress to Speak Out About Stroke in May.

These easy steps can make a big difference. Ask your members of Congress to join you in raising awareness about stroke in May.

Genentech, in collaboration with National Stroke Association and American College of Emergency Physicians, has developed a variety of tools and resources to help you build a successful stroke awareness campaign in your community. And you can easily customize many of these materials by adding your institution’s logo (National Stroke Association materials are not customizable). Visit StrokeAwareness.com today for these new resources:

Build a community outreach program:

Stroke Awareness Planning Guide
F.A.S.T. Materials (poster, magnet)
Risk Assessment Scorecard (National Stroke Association)
Community Presentation on Stroke (National Stroke Association)
Explaining Stroke brochure (National Stroke Association)
Promote the campaign through mass media:

Journal Ad
Billboard
Radio Public Service Announcement
Stroke Awareness Campaign Online Banners
Amplify your message through public relations:

PR Toolkit Guide
News Release Templates
Stroke 101 Fact Sheet (National Stroke Association)
Royalty-Free Image Library
Raise awareness through social media:

Social media best practices
Suggested awareness materials and links for use on Twitter and Facebook
Download or order these resources at http://www.aphasiahope.org/?p=3937 Teach your social network about #stroke with National Stroke Association’s awareness posts and tweets!

For an example of their tweets and posts, click on Posts and click on Stroke Awareness Social Media posts.

Awareness Month Packets
As a big “thanks” to all of you who plan on spreading the word about aphasia even more than you usually do during the month of June, we are again sending out our famous Awareness Month Packets, which will include:
Awareness Month Posters with the image above and information about aphasia
Brochures about aphasia
Ideas on how you can celebrate National Aphasia Awareness Month
So much more!

If you are interested in receiving a packet, please send an email with your name and complete mailing address to naa@aphasia.org.

For more ideas in how you can make this June a more meaningful Aphasia Awareness Month, click on National Aphasia Association.

Contact National Stroke Association for more information on Community Presentations 101.

MONDAY, May 13 (HealthDay News) — Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arms or legs on one side of the body, confusion and trouble speaking are among the signs that someone is having a stroke. The sooner a stroke is recognized and treated, the greater the chance of recovery, experts say.

“When someone has a stroke, they may show either slight or extremely noticeable physical changes,” Dr. Randolph Marshall, chief of the stroke division at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center, said in a hospital news release. “The most effective way to prevent the permanent damage associated with stroke is to recognize the signs of an attack and to seek medical attention immediately.”

Dizziness and trouble walking, loss of vision in one or both eyes and a severe headache that comes on suddenly for no apparent reason are other signs that someone is having a stroke. Early treatment, however, can prevent or possibly reverse the damage caused by strokes. The experts advised remembering the acronym “FAST” to help people recognize a stroke sooner and reduce any long-term damage.

F for Face: Does someone’s face look uneven?
A for Arm: Do you notice one arm hanging down?
S for Speech: Check for slurred speech or other signs of trouble speaking.
T for Time: Call 911 and seek immediate medical attention.

One of the most common treatments for stroke is tissue plasminogen activator, the “clot-busting” treatment also known as TPA. The drug is injected into an artery or vein to dissolve a clot and restore blood flow to the brain.

Revascularization is another treatment for stroke in which micro-catheters are placed inside the artery to remove blockages. In all cases, immediate medical attention can help reduce the damage caused by a stroke, according to the news release.

Learning how to prevent strokes with certain lifestyle changes can also save lives, the experts pointed out. “Stroke statistics are sobering: It’s the fourth leading cause of death in the United States and the leading cause of adult disabilities,” said Dr. Babak Navi, director of the Stroke Center at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center, in the news release.

“On average, someone dies of stroke every four minutes,” he added. “The good news is that approximately 80 percent of strokes can be prevented.”

Lifestyle changes that can significantly reduce the risk of having a stroke include the following:

Cut back on salt. Reducing salt intake can lower blood pressure, reducing the risk for stroke. Instead of salt, season food with a variety of spices.

Eat a healthy diet. Reduce LDL (or “bad”) cholesterol levels to improve heart health and reduce the risk for stroke. Cholesterol levels should be 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or below.

Quit smoking. Smokers have twice the risk of having a stroke. Smoking damages blood vessels, increases blood pressure and accelerates the clogging of arteries.

Exercise. People who are overweight or obese are at greater risk for high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes and stroke. Losing weight can lower the risk for stroke and ease the strain on the circulatory system.

Even with these lifestyle changes, the experts pointed out that people aged 55 years or older are still at greater risk for stroke. Also at greater risk are black people, Hispanics and those with a family history of stroke or “mini-stroke” (also called a transient ischemic attack).

Although strokes are more common in men, women who have strokes are more likely to die from them, according to the news release.

SOURCE: NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, news release, May 6, 2013

Read, email, save this article, click on STROKE .

Look around and see what we’re doing. Maybe, just maybe, there’s something for you here.

It’s all about being yourself and embracing life again when stroke works overtime.

>For Dates and Locations, click on Retreat & Refresh .

Lend your support while mixing, mingling and enjoying old and new friends.

RSVP by June 1st $10 Cover Charge
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How can a congressional briefing help the stroke community? We’ve made great strides in the last few years increasing Congress’ understanding about stroke, the challenges and needs of the stroke community and what Congress can do to help. The purpose of this briefing is to ensure that members of Congress and their staff members are aware of current legislation and initiatives that could reduce the incidence of stroke, improve the lives of stroke survivors and their families and reduce the impact of stroke on individuals, families and our nation. We’ve already invited your members of Congress and their staff to the briefing. However, they’re far more likely to make the time to join us if they’re asked to attend by a constituent—that’s you!

How can you make sure your members of Congress or their staff attend? Click the Take Action button to send your members of Congress the message shown below. Even though the message begins Dear [Representative/Senator], the names of your members of Congress will be automatically filled in before the message is delivered to them.

A relaxing weekend retreat in a rustic setting for people with aphasia.

Experience archery, golf, boating, fishing, yoga, woodworking, music, hiking and much much more!

For more information contact Mary Beth Clark, Rehabilitation Services
715-838-1725 or clark.marybeth1@mayo.edu .

See Brochure:

AphasiaCampBrochure2013 pg 1

AphasiaCampBrochure2013 pg 2

Register online by clicking Mayo Clinic Health System .