You Can Help Stop Stroke — The Number-Three Killer

By Linda Lopeman

Do you think running or walking 26.2 miles is tough? Try getting out of bed when your entire left side won’t move due to a stroke.

Stroke is a disease that can change your life in an instant. It kills every 3.1 minutes, and leaves many others physically or mentally disabled. In fact, stroke is a particular concern in Oregon, which has the fifth highest stroke death rate in the country.

This May, American Stroke Month, the American Stroke Association urges you to take action that can help save lives from stroke.

One of the easiest ways to avoid death or disability from stroke is to know the warning signs and to get help quickly when it happens. Quick detection and diagnosis can save lives.
Call 9-1-1 as soon as these signs appear:
• Sudden numbness or weakness of theface, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or understanding
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance, or coordination
• Sudden severe headache with no known cause

Walkers and runners of all abilities can also make a lifesaving difference by joining Train to End Stroke, a team marathon training and fundraising program that benefits the American Stroke Association. Like stroke, completing a marathon is a life-changing event. An experienced coach will help you train for a full or half-marathon beginning in August. The funds you raise while you train will help save lives from stroke. In January, participants get to fly to the P.F. Chang’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Marathon or the Walt Disney World Marathon (Florida) and have a great time.

Stroke strikes a victim every 45 seconds. Join the fight against stroke and help stop the number-three killer in the United States. To learn more about stroke or Train to End Stroke, call 503-233-0100 or visit www.StrokeAssociation.org.