CEO’s united for a common cause: Leo Garza, South Texas Rehab Hospital, Art Garza, Valley Regional Medical Center, Cary Montalvo, Solara Hospital, Leslie Bingham, Valley Baptist Medical Center.
Last summer, the Penrod family had just finished enjoying a family cookout when Paul Penrod, suddenly began to feel “not right.” Cammy, Paul’s wife, noticed his speech was a bit off and his words weren’t making much sense. She also noticed weakness on the left side of his body and facial drooping. Recognizing those signs as possible symptoms of a stroke, Cammy took immediate action by getting Paul to Valley Regional Medical Center within minutes, helping save her husband’s life.
Celebrating the importance of understanding the signs and symptoms of stroke, South Texas Rehabilitation Hospital, Valley Regional Medical Center, Valley Baptist Medical Center, and Solara Specialty Hospital – Brownsville, are uniting forces for the second year in a row to support the Strides 4 Stroke FAST 5K on Saturday, April 28, 2018 at the Sunrise Mall.
Designed to promote stroke prevention and identification of the signs and symptoms of stroke, the event is named FAST 5K in order to draw attention to the acronym F.A.S.T. used to help detect and enhance responsiveness to stroke victim needs. The acronym stands for: F-Face Drooping, A-Arm Weakness, S-Speech Difficulty and T-Time to call 911. Local neurologists, Luis Gaitan, M.D., will present more information during the Doc Talk on the day of the event.
Stroke is a disease that affects the arteries leading to and within the brain. It is the 5th cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the United States. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts (or ruptures). When that happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood (and oxygen) it needs, so brain cells die.
On average, someone suffers a stroke every 40 seconds; someone dies of a stroke every 3 minutes and 45 seconds; and 795,000 people suffer a new or recurrent stroke each year, according to the American Heart and American Stroke Association. Many Valley residents are at risk for stroke because of high rates of high blood pressure and diabetes. Up to 80 percent of strokes are preventable through making lifestyle changes like eating better and getting physically active. Even walking is a major step towards better health; walking as little as 30 minutes a day can reduce your risk for stroke.
All event proceeds benefit the American Heart and American Stroke Association. To register, visit the Brownsville Strides 4 Stroke FAST 5K site
The Event:
8:00 a.m. | The 5K will begin in the parking lot of the Sunrise Mall.
8:30 a.m. | Stroke survivors are invited to participate in the Miracle Lap which will occur inside of the mall. This lap honors all stroke survivors and cheers on their recovery.
8:30 a.m. | Free blood pressure and blood sugar checks will be offered inside the mall until 10:30 a.m.
8:45 a.m. | Doc Talk will be offered by our local neurologist: Luis Gaitan, M.D.
9:15 a.m. | Awards!