Act F.A.S.T to enjoy life’s precious moments

Major landmarks across Australia will be lit up in green and blue to mark National Stroke Week, which
begins tomorrow.

The Big Banana in Coffs Harbour, the Story Bridge in Brisbane, Adelaide’s Convention Centre and
Melbourne’s AAMI Park are among a number of key destinations to proudly don the Stroke Foundation
colours during this major awareness week.

Stroke is one of Australia’s biggest killers and a leading cause of disability. Each year an estimated 27,000 people experience their first stroke, which is one stroke every 19 minutes.

This National Stroke Week (August 8-14) Stroke Foundation is encouraging the community to learn the
F.A.S.T (Face, Arms, Speech, Time) message to ensure more people recognise when a stroke is
happening and call triple zero (000) for urgent help immediately. Most strokes show one or more signs
mentioned in the F.A.S.T acronym.

Receiving emergency medical treatment quickly gives more people the chance to survive to keep enjoying life’s precious moments after stroke – Precious Moments is this year’s Stroke Week theme.
For survivor of stroke Peter Hocking, a precious moment was receiving his modified car to help restore his independence and confidence.

“I will always remember the day I picked up my car. Stroke has become part of my life, just like anything
else. I don’t let it dominate my life, I have just learned to live with it,” Mr Hocking said.

A busy working mum-of-two young kids, Shazia Haider will be forever grateful to her husband Sadiq for
knowing the F.A.S.T signs, recognising she was having a stroke, and calling an ambulance immediately.

“My family are the most precious things in my life. My children are happy, healthy and are my driving force.

I am so grateful for a second chance on life,” Mrs Haider said.

Stroke Foundation Chief Executive Officer Sharon McGowan says she is grateful for the support of the
Australian cities which are lighting their landmarks to draw attention to the way stroke impacts
communities.

“Stroke can happen to anyone, of any age, at any time. Stroke takes a person out of their community, and
that might be for a short time, or permanently – the impact is always far reaching for families, for
workplaces, and for community groups,” she said.

“The good news is that stroke can be treated, and people can recover well but only if more people can
recognise the F.A.S.T message. Calling an ambulance at the first sign of stroke saves and reduces life-