BOSTON, MA--(Marketwire - May 6, 2010) -
WHAT: May is American Stroke Month and government officials, hospitals, doctors and survivors from across the Commonwealth will educate the public on the importance of recognizing and responding quickly to the signs of stroke. The kick-off event, STOP Stroke: Act FAST will take place at the Massachusetts State House on Tuesday, May 11, from 11 am to 3 pm. Sponsored by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) and the American Stroke Association (ASA), this event will spread the message that recognition and timely care of stroke can prevent death and disability.
WHEN: Stroke Awareness Day, Tuesday, May 11
11 am to 2 pm Stroke Survivors to Meet with State Legislators
2 pm to 3 pm Press Legislative Briefing
WHO:
- Lee H. Schwamm, MD, FAHA, Volunteer, American Stroke Association; Vice Chairman, Department of Neurology, Director, TeleStroke & Acute Stroke Services, Massachusetts General Hospital; Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School
- Commissioner John Auerbach, MA Department of Public Health
- Frank Mastrangelo, a stroke survivor from Shirley, MA
- Senator Mark Montigny (D - New Bedford)
- Representative Michael Rush (D - West Roxbury)
WHERE: Gardner Auditorium, Massachusetts State House, Beacon Street, Boston, MA
WHY: Stroke is the third-leading cause of death in Massachusetts and the US despite declining mortality rates and a leading cause of long-term disability. Every year, stroke causes nearly 3,000 deaths in the state of Massachusetts and 18,500 hospitalizations. Annually, 795,000 Americans suffer a stroke, and 160,000 of them die. A major advancement in treatment for ischemic stroke, a clot dissolving drug called tPA, can significantly reduce the debilitating effects of stroke if administered within three hours. It is estimated that only 3 to 5 percent of victims receive lifesaving treatment currently, due to the inability to recognize early warning signs. On average, patients do not seek treatment for three to six hours.
About MDPH:
The mission of the MDPH Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention and Control Program is to provide statewide leadership to reduce disease, disability, death, and disparities across the continuum of care for heart disease, stroke, and related risk factors by collaboratively promoting evidence-based policy and environmental changes. www.mass.gov/dph/heartstroke.
About ASA:
The American Stroke Association is a division of the American Heart Association that focuses on reducing risk, disability and death from stroke through research, education, fund raising and advocacy. The American Heart Association created the American Stroke Association after many years of increasing emphasis on stroke. We spend more money on stroke research and programs than any other organization except the federal government. For more information, visit www.strokeassociation.org.
Contact Information:
CONTACT:
Amy Riemer
Media Relations
978.475.4441
978.502.4895(c)