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SD 308 Goes RED in Participation of Stroke Awareness Month in May

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Media Alert
For immediate release

 

Contact: Theresa Komitas
Phone: (630) 608-5031
E-mail: tkomitas@SD308.org

 

Hunt Club DL First Grade Teachers.Go RED Communication.Community Engagement Go RED Erin Wilczewski and Dan Donohue from OHS go RED

Oswego, Ill. (May 26, 2023) — Each year the District partners with the American Heart Association (AHA) through their Kids Heart Challenge (KHC) as well as through a district-wide incentive to “Go RED” in recognition of Stroke Awareness during the month of May. While fundraising is never a requirement for either our students during the Kids Heart Challenge or during the district-wide staff “Go RED” in May, the district is incredibly proud of the fact that it has helped raise over 1 million dollars throughout its years of partnering with AHA.

 

Heart Disease, which is what the students focus on, continues to be the leading cause of death in America. Strokes, which is the focus of the district-wide “Go RED” campaign can happen to anyone at any time and at any age. On average, 1.9 million brain cells die every minute that a stroke goes untreated. Up to 80% of strokes are preventable. 

 

Here are the signs of a stroke and lifestyle risks that increase your chances of having one.

Recognition

F.A.S.T. Warning Signs (use the letters in F.AS.T. to spot a stroke)

F = Face Drooping - Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile. Is the person’s smile uneven?

A = Arm Weakness - Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

S = Speech Difficulty  - Is speech slurred?

T = Time to call 911.

Prevention

Here is what you can do:

  • Manage your blood pressure

  • Control your cholesterol

  • Keep your blood sugar down

  • Get active

  • Eat Balanced meals

  • Lose weight (if  you need to)

  • Don’t smoke or vape

 

To learn more information regarding the American Heart Association and American Stroke Month 2023, please visit the following website: https://www.heart.org/en/professional/quality-improvement/get-with-the-guidelines/get-with-the-guidelines-stroke/national-stroke-month-2023

 

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