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Stroke Foundation is marking a major milestone with a vow to continue fighting for the best treatment and care for Queenslanders living with the impacts of stroke.

This month marks Stroke Foundation’s 25-year anniversary. The not-for-profit is the only national organisation focused on stroke prevention, treatment, and recovery for all Australians.

This is critical in a large state like Queensland, where over 5,300 people experienced a stroke for the first time last year, and where 87,600 people are already living with the impact of stroke.

Stroke Foundation’s State Manager in Queensland, Andrea Sanders, said the organisation plays a key role in supporting treatment and recovery initiatives to ensure everyone impacted by stroke is supported.

“One of our success stories is our involvement with My Health For Life, a program which is helping Queenslanders to be healthier. This program enables chronic disease to be detected early, helping participants to reduce their risk of developing stroke, heart disease and type 2 diabetes, and avoid unnecessary hospital admissions.”

But Mrs Sanders says there is a lot that the community can do for itself.

“ as that knowledge saves lives. To make sure as many Australians as possible learn what it means, we’ve provided that message in Greek, Italian, Mandarin, Vietnamese, Arabic, Cantonese, Hindi and Korean.”

Thinking F.A.S.T involves asking these simple questions:

• Face Check their face. Has their mouth drooped?

• Arms Can they lift both arms?

• Speech Is their speech slurred? Do they understand you?

• Time is critical. If you see any of these signs call triple zero (000) straight away

Another highlight of Stroke Foundation’s first 25 years has been the establishment of the free national phone service StrokeLine (1800 787 653). This is not an emergency service but a support line which offers practical and confidential advice.

Our next 25 years at Stroke Foundation will be focused on championing new avenues in prevention, treatment, and recovery to make the future brighter and help people with stroke live well.