Stroke prevention; Services Presentation & Future Events

Our guest speaker, Graeme Cocks, a volunteer from the Stroke Foundation gave a somewhat hard-hitting talk about stroke. The Stroke Foundation is a national charity that partners with the community to prevent, treat and beat stroke. 

Graeme explaining that despite being very fit, he had a stroke two years ago

 

Each year nearly 28 thousand people in Australia suffer a stroke; 73% of these being first-ever strokes and 15% of the population are in the danger zone. Stroke is the third most common cause of death in Australia. Stroke is not a disease of the older generation; a third of stroke survivors in Australia are under the age of 65.

 

Graeme outlined that 80% of strokes are preventable and the major risk is high blood pressure. High blood pressure often has no symptoms, so regular check up of blood pressure is very important. High cholesterol, diabetes and common heart disorders can also increase risk and treatment and medication should be taken to reduce it. Smoking and obesity are also factors; also a prior TIA (see below)

What is a stoke?

A stroke happens in the brain when blood flow is interrupted or fails and the brain cells do not get enough blood. Up to 1.9 million cells may die every minute.

There are two basic types of stoke; ischaemic stoke and hemorrhagic stroke. Ischaemic occurs when a blood clot or plaque blocks an artery in the brain, hemorrhagic is due to the break or burst of an artery.

The impact of stroke varies; every stroke is different. The physical and mental consequences of stroke include paralysis and motor function deficits, loss of balance, problem with language, hearing, vision or speech/communication loss, memory and cognitive impairments, fatigue and muscle weakness, personality, social isolation, dependency, job loss and depression.

TIA (Transient Ischaemic Attack) is different since the blood supply to one’s brain is blocked for only a short time. Sometimes refer to as a mini-stroke - TIA has the same signs as a stroke, but the signs go away on their own and often last for only a few minutes.  A TIA is critical warning sign - American researchers have reported that 10-20% risk of having a full stroke in the following 7 days. Suffering a TIA offers a chance to make immediate lifestyle and medication change to reduce the risk of an actual stroke.

A TIA should never be ignored - call 000.

Recognising a stroke:

The symptoms of stroke typically start suddenly - over seconds to minutes and in most cases do not develop further. Moreover, there is no pain (some may report headache). The symptoms depend on the area of the brain affected - the more extensive the area of the brain affected, the greater the problem.

The acronym FAST: 

·      Face - check the face. Has the mouth drooped?

·      Arms - can they lift both arms?

·      Speech - is their speech slurred? Do they understand you?

·      Time - time is CRITICAL. Call 000 (triple zero) if you see any of these signs.

Do not drive or get driven to emergency! Ambulances monitor the patient ‘s progress, administer proper assistance and are in contact with the emergency room that will expedite diagnostic tests and treatments.

 Stoke risk assessment:

Graeme circulated the brochure below that aids in risk assessment:

 

The fact that stroke can happen to anyone makes making beneficial changes to our lifestyle is very important, as outline in this fact sheet:

Question time included the higher incidence in rural areas (cause not fully identified). Since permanent damage can occur in 10-15 minutes the vital importance of acting quickly was discussed further. Ignoring a TIA and the possibility of a major stroke in the future was more fully explained.

The meeting thanked Graeme for his very professional presentation on a subject that is highly important to us all.

MORE INFORMATION: strokefoundation.org.au

SERVICES TEAM - 2021 Donations

Michael Mead presented the Services team recommendations of projects and support of charities for 2020-2021. The recommendations presented were the culmination of investigations, assessments and discussions with the majority of charities that the team have contacted or regard as worthy of receipt of club donations.

 KEY EVALUATION CRITERIA used by your Services Team:

•     Local Community Focus
•     Projects – not just financial assistance to the organisation
•        Look at impact in the community – where is the need, will it help and how? Can it be measured or objectively assessed?
•      Brand recognition is also important, (e.g Bear Cottage & Dalwood Spilstead - easy to explain.)
•     Support Rotary based projects if they have momentum and visibility.
•      Fundraising credibility– who did we say we were supporting at club events?

The club’s request for assistance form and assessment criteria applied was outlined, and recommended amounts were discussed. Despite a 25% reduction in overall funds being proposed compared to 2020 figures, the amounts still enable our support to focus on local community charities and organisations - major local charities by giving similar amounts to last year. Youth down 26% mainly due to deferment of some programs due to Covid 19. Rotary-based initiatives like Foundation, Polio, St Judes and Shelterbox were again supported.

The major reduction occurred with funding Australia-wide donations (disaster relief).

THE SCOPE OF OUR SUPPORT for 2021 is shown in the table below

Local Community	Youth	Australia – wide projects	International (ROTARY based)
Dalwood Spilstead	National Youth Science Forum	Wandering Warriors	FOUNDATION
Lifeline NB	RYPEN	Ted Noff’s Foundation	POLIO APPEAL
Bear Cottage	Model United Nations Assembly	Royal Flying Doctor Service	SHELTERBOX
Arrnounbai		Angel Flight	St Judes
Community NB			Rotary Health - Bowel Cancer Research
Streetwork

Michael thanked the Services team members for the diligent and through work they have done in arriving at the recommendations.The members present approved the recommended amounts. 

Members can get full details in the club minutes.

At the meeting the possibility of adding Rotary Health to our Rotary based charity support was discussed -  Bowel Cancer Research was added on Friday 4 after Di Hart discussed with Alois Lechner and the team unanimously voted in favour.

NEPAL HOSPITAL Building Fund.

A presentation evening by Dr Ray Hodgson, Obstetrician-gynecologist in Port Macquarie will occur at the evening meeting on August 17, 2021.

Sue Terry is organising the night which will be an initial forum to plan the raising of funds required to build a Women’s hospital in Nepal that specialises in uterine prolapse - which has a abnormally high incidence there. Uterine prolapse is both treatable and preventable, however little assistance and facilities are there. Dr Hodgson has visited Nepal for the last 14 years and is highly acclaimed as an expert and specialist in the situation in Nepal with this important public health issue.

ROTARACT

The Northern Beaches ROTARACT club is now down to 4 members and the NB Rotary cluster of clubs is examining ways to rejuvenate and grow it membership.  Discussion with Lifeline NB to help develop ideas to attract young people to ROTARACT. In addition to tapping Lifeline NB expertise in Youth related issues, TAFE has been contacted to possibly link with any proposed activity.

 

Next meeting BEAR COTTAGE - Art Therapist

Despite NSW Government funding of therapy and treatments at Bear Cottage, a vial part the welfare of these young patients - Art therapy-  is only available due to donations. Rotary Balgowlah has supported this important project for a number of years. 

The Art therapist from Bear Cottage, Judy King will outline the importance of this program and the benefits that the young patients derive from it on Tuesday June 15 at 7pm in the Wine Room at Balgowlah RSL. 

Please contact Rick van Brugge on  r.c.vanbrugge@bigpond.com if you are attending.

 

AND

Don't Forget Changeover Night on June 29 - President Lindy has sent out official invitations, please respond to the RSVP!