Throughout Stroke and Aphasia Awareness Month, people across the stroke care continuum came together to raise awareness of stroke signs and symptoms and the importance of seeking emergency care without delay.
Across Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington (KFLA), Hastings Prince Edward (HPE); and Lanark, Leeds and Grenville (LLG), stroke survivors, health care providers, community organizations, hospitals, first responders, municipalities, local politicians and community partners all played a role in getting the FAST message out.
More than 1, 000 FAST posters, magnets, bookmarks and other stroke awareness materials were shared across the region in June alone, helping bring this important message into community spaces and everyday conversations.
Bringing FAST into our communities…
In Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington (KFLA), Greater Kingston VON coordinated a range of stroke awareness month initiatives across the community, including stroke awareness information tables at Kingston Health Sciences Centre (KHSC) and Providence Care Hospital (PCH), community events, local media interviews and a June social event. These activities provided opportunities to share FAST messaging, connect with stroke survivors and caregivers, and highlight local stroke resources and support. Kingston also lit up in recognition of Stroke and Aphasia Awareness Month. Health care providers and community partners helped distribute hundreds of FAST posters, while the Invista Centre committed to displaying the Heart & Stroke FAST message on its digital screens for the next year. Work is also underway to bring similar messaging to digital screens at the Quinte Sports and Wellness Centre in Belleville and a large rink poster at the Brockville Memorial Centre.
In Hastings Prince Edward (HPE), Community Care for South Hastings and people living with stroke brought stroke awareness directly to the community through a full day of activities at Quinte Mall, where FAST cards and stroke education materials were shared with the public. At Bayview Mall, young stroke survivors coordinated an interactive superhero-themed stroke awareness event, bringing together Belleville Police Services, Belleville Fire Department, Quinte Paramedics, Quinte Health representatives and local politicians. The month also included June awareness posters and information tables at Quinte Health, and well as a lunch and learn featuring an Indigenous Navigator from the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, who shared perspectives on culturally sensitive care and her own stroke recovery experience.
In Lanark, Leeds and Grenville (LLG), stroke awareness reached the community with support from Senior Support Services, through a range of community and media initiatives. These included YourTV and radio interviews, community events, stroke survivor picnics and a Seniors Expo co-hosted with local politicians. Community partners also helped distribute FAST magnets, bookmarks, posters, while education and connection opportunities brought stroke care providers, including stroke care allied health and nursing teams.
A region-wide message with one important goal…
While the activities looked different across the region, they all shared a common goal: helping more people recognize the signs and symptoms of stroke and understand that every minute matters.
FAST provides a simple way to recognize some of the most common signs of stroke:
F - Face: Is it drooping?
A - Arms: Is there weakness or numbness?
S - Speech: Is it slurred or hard to understand?
T - Time: Call 9-1-1 immediately if you notice any of these signs.
When a stroke is suspected, getting to emergency care quickly is critical. Rapid access to hyper-acute stroke care can make a difference in treatment options and outcomes.
Keep the FAST message going.
Know the signs. Share the message. Act FAST.
Stroke can happen to anyone, at any age. Help keep the momentum going beyond June by talking about stroke, sharing the FAST message and making sure the people around you know what to do.
Because when it comes to stroke, time is brain.