'Oar' Inspiring Stroke Campaign To Be Launched - Lifestyle Factors And Expansion Of Medical Imaging For Earlier Diagnosis Vital In Improving UK Rates

Main Category: Stroke / Neuroprotection
Article Date: 11 Sep 2008 - 2:00 PDT

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Siemens, high performance partner of GB Rowing, and The Stroke Association are launching the Stroke for Stroke campaign once again this year aiming to highlight the positive benefits of regular exercise and help educate and inform the public about strokes and stroke prevention.

Open to everyone across the UK, Siemens Stroke for Stroke Week is taking place between 27th October - 2nd November and challenges people to sign up to row an individually sponsored 10km (or more!) to raise vital funds for The Stroke Association.

The campaign aims to highlight that anybody, regardless of age, can suffer a stroke and that regular exercise, such as rowing, can go a long way in prevention.

"Each year an estimated 150,000 people in the UK will have a stroke. This puts a big pressure on the NHS in terms of identifying symptoms quickly so that an accurate course of treatment can be prescribed. This also has a financial impact of rehabilitation and social aftercare. Raising awareness of how exercise and lifestyle choices can help prevent stroke and TIA* cases in the first place is a big must and will obviously alleviate some of the impact on the health service", states Peter Harrison, Director of Imaging & Oncology Systems at Siemens Healthcare.

He continues, "Of course, prevention has to go hand in hand with expanding the provision of diagnostic and treatment facilities available to patients. Access to rapid CT scanning upon admission to hospital is essential to diagnosis and determination of treatment. This is especially important as some patients may benefit from a reperfusion therapy that is only currently administered within a three hour window from the onset of symptoms. This treatment not only helps to save lives, it can also dramatically improve the quality of life to survivors of this condition."

Four time Olympic gold medallist, Sir Matthew Pinsent CBE is backing the campaign. He commented, "Some people assume that strokes only affect older people, but over a quarter of all strokes happen to those under the age of 65. The Stroke Association has linked up with Siemens on Stroke for Stroke Week, which is a fantastic opportunity for people to realise the amazing stress busting health benefits that rowing can bring whilst raising vital money to help prevent the UK's 3rd biggest killer."

Siemens Healthcare representatives will be taking part in the Stroke for Stroke week initiative and will also be encouraging partners and customers to take part. For more information visit, www.siemens.co.uk/strokeforstroke.

Siemens has teamed up with LA fitness to offer free access to its nationwide network of gyms for everyone taking part in the campaign.

Notes

* Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA) is a serious condition caused by a temporary reduction in blood and oxygen supply to part of the brain. A TIA is sometimes called a mini-stroke because symptoms are the same. TIAs are a clear warning that further TIAs, or even a life-threatening stroke, may occur soon.

About Siemens Healthcare

The Siemens Healthcare Sector is one of the world's largest suppliers to the healthcare industry. The company is a renowned medical solutions provider with core competence and innovative strength in diagnostic and therapeutic technologies as well as in knowledge engineering, including information technology and system integration. With its laboratory diagnostics acquisitions, Siemens Healthcare is the first integrated healthcare company, bringing together imaging and lab diagnostics, therapy and healthcare information technology solutions, supplemented by consulting and support services. Siemens Healthcare delivers solutions across the entire continuum of care - from prevention and early detection, to diagnosis, therapy and care. Additionally, Siemens Healthcare is the global market leader in innovative hearing instruments. The company employs more than 49,000 people worldwide and operates in 130 countries. In the fiscal year 2007 (Sept. 30), Siemens Healthcare reported sales of €9.85 billion, orders of €10.27 billion, and group profit of €1.32 billion. Further information can be found by visiting http://www.siemens.co.uk/healthcare.

About The Stroke Association

The Stroke Association is the only UK charity solely concerned with combating stroke in people of all ages. The charity funds research into prevention, treatment, better methods of rehabilitation and helps stroke patients and their families directly through its community services which include communications support, family and carer support, information services, welfare grants, publications and leaflets. The Stroke Association also campaigns, educates and informs to increase knowledge of stroke at all levels of society acting as a voice for everyone affected by stroke. The Stroke Association Helpline provides information on stroke to the general public and is open between 9am - 5pm Monday to Friday on 0845 3033 100 and more information on The Stroke Association can be found at http://www.stroke.org.uk

The Stroke Association