Victory Over Stroke Event Set for March 21, 2013

SARASOTA, FL, March 16, 2013 (Press-News.org) The Stroke Association of Florida has announced its Fourth Annual Victory Over Stroke event, scheduled for Thursday, March 21, 2013, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at H2U Blake Medical Center, 6670 Cortez Road W. in Bradenton, Florida.

Ana M. Guillermo, H2U Program Manager, will emcee the free event, which includes presentations from distinguished local speakers, free stroke risk health screenings and exhibitors. Breakfast snacks and lunch will be provided.

"The goal of Victory Over Stroke is to raise awareness about stroke symptoms and the critical need to call 911, what you can do to minimize your chance of having a stroke and how to be prepared in the event a major health crisis happens to your family," said Holly Dykema, co-founder of the Stroke Association of Florida. The mission of the non-profit organization is to reduce the incidence and impact of stroke by educating the community about prevention, risks, signs and symptoms, and by providing resource referrals for stroke survivors and their caregivers.

Dykema founded the Stroke Association of Florida in June 2009, three years after her husband suffered a massive stroke, leaving him unable to speak in full sentences and paralyzed on the right side of his body. "Eighty percent of strokes can be prevented. People just need to know the simple steps they can take to reduce their personal risk for stroke and avoid this horrendous disabler," Dykema said.

More than 800,000 Americans suffer from a stroke each year. It's the number one cause of adult disability and the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. More women die of stroke each year than of breast cancer. In the United States, someone has a stroke every 45 seconds. Approximately 3,000 people a year in Manatee and Sarasota counties are among that number.

The speakers for the event are:

Dr. Joseph Pace, M.D.
Cardiologist

Mary Ellen Bond, MS, RN, CNRN
Stroke Program Coordinator, Blake Medical Center

Vinola Rodrigues
Weight Watchers Leader/Facilitator

John T. Griffin, Esq.
Attorney, Griffin & Griffin Attorneys and Counselors at Law

Holly Dykema
Co-Founder, Stroke Association of Florida

The program and screenings are free, although pre-registration is required. Please RSVP to (888) 359-3552. The Stroke Association of Florida can be reached at P.O. Box 25082, Sarasota, Florida 34277. Telephone: (941) 346-1122. For more information, please visit http://www.StrokeFL.org.

The Stroke Association of Florida is a non-profit organization whose mission is to reduce the incidence and impact of stroke by educating the community about prevention, risks, signs and symptoms, and by providing support and resources for stroke survivors and their caregivers.