May marks Stroke Awareness Month, but this year the Stroke Association’s Make May Purple campaign has been replaced for an important reason: the damaging effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on stroke research.
This May, the Stroke Association is using their annual awareness campaign to highlight the drastic effect the pandemic has had on stroke research. Research helps stroke survivors rebuild their lives and every stroke survivor’s life is worth living, that’s why stroke research is worth saving.
Save research. Rebuild lives.
The new Save Research. Rebuild Lives. campaign will highlight the need for funding for essential research to continue. A severe drop in charitable income during the pandemic has meant that the organisation’s research budget for this year has been cut in half. This puts new, innovative research at risk.
Due to the disruption caused by the pandemic, one in five researchers say they’ll need more funding.
The Stroke Association are now calling on people to donate, fundraise and raise awareness of stroke research in order to help them continue to make breakthroughs in understanding stroke and rehabilitation.
Awareness
Stroke strikes every five minutes in the UK and can happen to anyone, of any age, this is why awareness of the signs of stroke and the need for research is so important.
The FAST test can help you recognise the signs.
- Facial weakness: Can the person smile? Has their mouth or eye drooped?
- Arm weakness: Can the person raise both arms?
- Speech problems: Can the person speak clearly and understand what you say?
- Time to call 999: if you see any of these signs.
Acting FAST will give the person having a stroke the best chance of survival and recovery. Always call 999 straight away.
Get involved
In previous years, the Stroke Association has marked Stroke Awareness Month with the Make May Purple campaign, but this May, the organisation is asking you to spread awareness of the need for research.
To get involved you can: download a fundraising pack with ideas, or come up with your own fundraising idea, or raise awareness on social media.
The Stroke Association will be sharing resources throughout May on social media that you can like, retweet or share to help raise awareness. You can also use #SaveStrokeResearch.
Find out more about the new campaign and how you can get involved now.
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