On Friday, September 21st, LifeNet EMS setup our first “Stroke Zone” at a high school football game. The event was designed to help raise awareness of the signs and symptoms on stroke in the community.
On average, 1200 Arkansans die each year from stroke, and across the county, it is estimated that someone suffers a stroke every 40 seconds. Many people have catastrophic results because they did not recognize the symptoms quick enough to get treatment.
Through a partnership with Arkansas Saves, LifeNet was able to distribute 183 BEFAST Magnets to football fans. Additionally, fans had the opportunity to play a game that demonstrated the serious long term effects of stroke.
BEFAST stands for Balance, Eyes, Face, Arm, Speech, and Time.
In addition to Friday night’s game at Fouke High School, LifeNet will also setup their “Stroke Zone” at three additional Arkansas football games, including:
- October 5th at Genoa High School’s Dragon Stadium
- October 12th at Lake Hamilton High School’s Wolves Stadium
- October 19th at Arkansas High School’s Razorback Stadium
According to the Stroke Association, a stroke occurs when a clot blocks the blood supply to the brain or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts. Anyone, regardless of age, can have a stroke. When this happens, brain cells don’t get the blood and oxygen that they need to survive and nerve cells stop working within minutes, affecting the part of the body they control. Immediate treatment has been shown to minimize the long-term effects of a stroke and even prevent death.
To learn more about the events, call 903-556-0301.