You have probably watched the advert on the television of a fire in a man’s brain, the face contorting with arm and leg unable to move, he is having a stroke. – See more at: https://www.rotarygbi.org/news/ribi-news/rotary-clubs-save-potential-stroke-victims#sthash.mgvEGTod.dpuf
Rotary International in Great Britain & Ireland (RIBI) works with the charity, the Stroke Association, every year to help prevent people falling victim to strokes. Rotary clubs get into the community and provide free, on the spot blood pressure checks to the public. Patients are given life-saving and confidential medical advice from professionals.
RIBI President Burman said: “Stroke awareness is very important. The damage to lives from undetected and preventable strokes is devastating. Anything that can be done to prevent strokes helps people enjoy longer lives. Rotary clubs are helping to save lives through organising Stroke Awareness Days with the Stroke Association in shopping centres, community halls, garden centres and schools.
“This is one of many ways in which Rotary helps improve the lives of others. We are part of communities and very much for communities. I am very grateful to the many volunteer medical staff and the venues for supporting this activity. If just one life is saved, it is worthwhile.
“If you see a Rotary Stroke Awareness event, go along and have a chat. It is free, confidential and could save your life or even the life of a loved one.”
At a Stroke Awareness Day in Peterborough, organised by Peterborough Rotary clubs, a volunteer doctor immediately spotted that something was wrong as the next person in the queue sat down and had his blood pressure taken. The reading was taken again and for a full fifteen minutes the doctor talked to the patient. “That is the highest blood pressure I have taken in the past ten years” was the doctor’s comment. ”It was dangerously high”. Hopefully, having taken the advice, the patient will have immediately visited a doctor, handed in the Stroke Awareness form and is now receiving treatment that will prolong their life. All the advice given was completely confidential.
At similar events up and down the country, hundreds of blood pressure tests were carried out and free information provided. In Luton, the local Rotary clubs held a joint Stroke Awareness Day in a shopping centre where over 600 people were tested. Over 100 were referred to their GP with two of the referrals under 35 years old.
For more information about Stroke Awareness Day, contact your local Rotary club.
