Softball Australia joins new national stroke awareness campaign

Softball Australia has partnered with Strike out Stroke, which aims to encourage primary school children to live an active and healthy life.

One in six people will have a stroke in their lifetime and research shows that 80% of these are preventable.

Furthermore, 64% of Australians showing the signs and symptoms of stroke fail to arrive at a suitable medical facility in time to receive urgent lifesaving, disability reducing treatment.

The new national campaign attempts to raise awareness about the signs and symptoms of Stroke and was launched on World Stroke Day by The Hon. Josh Frydenberg MP in Melbourne.

To celebrate Mr Frydenberg participated in the very first Strike Out Stroke activity, joined by three-time Olympic Softball Medalist Brooke Wilkins and the Grade Five children from Kew Primary School.

“Strike Out Stroke is about building awareness in the community so people recognise the symptoms when they are occurring and that they get access to the health services and support they need,” Minister Frydenberg said.

“We are here for a very good cause, starting with young people, working through the schools and we have a great partner in Softball Australia.”

Once the children have participated in the Strike Out Stroke softball activity they will be appointed “Stroke Ambassadors” and will encourage family members and friends to do the online fun Stroke Quiz –spreading direct awareness of stroke to potentially hundreds of thousands of Australians.

Softball Australia CEO, David Pryles said: “Softball Australia is proud to be working alongside Vivienne Harkness and the team at Strike Out Stroke to create the game that will equip school children across Australia with the skills to recognise the symptoms of stroke – and potentially save or make a massive difference to someone’s quality of life.”

Funds raised will be annually distributed to organisations, including universities and hospitals that are involved in research, treatment and support of stroke survivors and their carers.

The national campaign will also introduce the new international stroke acronym – B.E.F.A.S.T (Balance Eyes Face Arms Speech Time – call 000).