P-Bruins host stroke awareness event

PROVIDENCE – The American Stroke Association and the Rhode Island Stroke Coordinators Network recently came together at a Providence Bruins hockey game in celebration of stroke survivors, caregivers, and volunteers with the goal of spreading awareness of the F.A.S.T warning signs. Nearly 7,000 Providence Bruins fans received lifesaving messages that could one day save a life.

The Providence Bruins Stroke Awareness Night game featured educational messages on digital screens and two stroke exhibit booths staffed by stroke center nurses from RICSN in F.A.S.T. awareness t-shirts. These volunteers distributed information and engaged fans throughout the evening. In addition, the game highlighted eight local stroke survivors of all ages who were invited to the Providence Bruins bench for a special tribute during first intermission while the F.A.S.T. Warning Signs Public Service Announcement played on the Jumbotron.

“Time is the most critical element in the treatment of stroke. Each minute a stroke passes, 2 million brain cells are lost,” said Dr. Brian Silver, director of Rhode Island Hospital’s Stroke Center and president of the American Heart Association RI Board of Directors. “It is critical that those suffering from the effects of a stroke, and those witnessing it be able to identify symptoms and act fast for the best chance of a positive outcome.”

The American Stroke Association’s Together to End Stroke initiative, nationally sponsored by Covidien, a global healthcare product company, teaches the acronym F.A.S.T. to remember stroke warning signs:

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  • F – Face Drooping: Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile.
  • A – Arm Weakness: Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
  • S – Speech Difficulty: Is speech slurred, are they unable to speak, or are they hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence like, “The sky is blue.” Is the sentence repeated correctly?
  • T – Time to call 911: If the person shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 9-1-1 and get them to the hospital immediately.

    The event was pegged to the recent celebration of World Stroke Day, which spreads the stroke awareness message to millions across the globe. The World Stroke Organization established World Stroke Day in 2006 to increase global stroke literacy and prevention.

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