UK campaign to raise awareness and funds for stroke research

21 October 2009

Siemens plc and The Stroke Association have launched the third annual Stroke for Stroke campaign, in a bid to raise awareness of stroke and to highlight the benefits of a healthy diet and regular exercise in its prevention.

The campaign will run between 25th and 31st January 2010 and will challenge members of the public to row 10km (or more), helping to raise vital funds.

The campaign, a joint initiative by The Stroke Association and Siemens, the High Performance Partner of GB Rowing, is now in its third year and has raised over £70,000 to date by encouraging members of the public to complete a sponsored 10km row. In addition to raising funds, the campaign aims to highlight that anybody, irrespective of age, can suffer from a stroke and that a healthy lifestyle, including a healthy diet and regular exercise such as rowing, can help to significantly reduce the risks.

The timing of the event at the end of January means that anyone looking to get back in shape after the festive season will still have time to warm up and shift those Christmas pounds before taking on the 10km rowing challenge.

Not having access to a rowing machine is no excuse, as the Stroke for Stroke campaign has teamed up with Nuffield Health to offer free access to their nationwide network of Fitness & Wellbeing Centres for everyone taking part in Stroke for Stroke.

Olympic gold medalist, Zac Purchase, who is backing the campaign, said, “Regular exercise is a key factor in staying healthy and reducing the risk of stroke, and rowing is an ideal, all-round, low-impact workout. It’s great to be involved in the Stroke for Stroke campaign and we hope to help raise plenty of money and awareness.”

Siemens Healthcare is one of the world’s largest suppliers to the healthcare industry, offering products and solutions across the range of patient care, from medical imaging and laboratory diagnostics to medical information technology, encompassing prevention and early detection to diagnosis, treatment and aftercare.

Gunter Dombrowe, Managing Director, Siemens Healthcare UK, said: “Prevention is key to reducing the number of people who suffer strokes and part of a bigger picture within the care continuum. Strokes put a huge amount of pressure on the NHS, requiring the fastest possible access to diagnostics and emergency care, rapid implementation of appropriate treatment and rehabilitation support long afterwards. As a leading provider of healthcare solutions, Siemens is well placed to continue raising awareness in this area.”

Andreas J. Goss, chief executive, Siemens in the UK, said: “Stroke is the UK’s third biggest killer and contrary to popular belief it can affect people of any age. Siemens is delighted to be able to use our partnership with GB Rowing to help build awareness, raise much-needed funds for The Stroke Association and to encourage people to take up regular exercise as part of an overall healthy lifestyle. I’ll be doing my bit, and encouraging our employees to do the same so please visit the website and have some fun taking part in Stroke for Stroke 2010.”

Head of Corporate Fundraising at The Stroke Association, James Beeby said: “Each year an estimated 150,000 people in the UK will suffer a stroke. Stroke for Stroke is now in its third year and a campaign like this is integral to raising awareness of how regular exercise and lifestyle choices can help prevent a stroke. This year we are anticipating an even greater number of people to get involved and support The Stroke Association’s vital research into stroke prevention and treatment.

The campaign is open to everyone across the UK by visiting www.strokeforstroke.co.uk or calling 020 7566 1503.

Even those who can’t take part directly can still do their bit by visiting the website and sponsoring their colleagues, friends and family or the GB Rowing squad, as they put the kilometres from their punishing training regime towards the campaign.