Rebecca Finch

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Minutes Moved:

320 minutes

I’m taking on the challenge of Stride4Stroke and raising funds for Stroke Foundation!

Hi there, I'm taking on the challenge of Stride4Stroke and raising funds for Stroke Foundation to help prevent stroke, save lives and enhance recovery.

In the next 11 minutes, someone, somewhere in Australia is going to have a stroke.

Stroke is one of Australia's biggest killers and doesn't discriminate; it affects anyone, anytime. It claims more lives than breast cancer in women and prostate cancer in men. And incredibly, up to 120 babies and 400 children have a stroke in Australia each year.

By supporting me, you'll be helping to sustain vital programs and resources that Stroke Foundation provides, including:

Preventing Stroke:

  • StrokeSafe Talks
  • Australia's Biggest Blood Pressure Check
  • Information Resources

Saving Lives:

  • F.A.S.T. (Face, Arms, Speech, Time) Signs of Stroke Awareness
  • Living Guidelines for Stroke Management
  • InformMe Website for Health Professionals

Enhancing Recovery:

  • StrokeLine
  • My Stroke Journey
  • EnableMe Website for Survivors of Stroke

Your support goes beyond just a donation; it's a lifeline for individuals at risk of stroke and survivors of stroke.

Thank you for supporting me. Together we can change the state of stroke in Australia for generations to come.

My Updates

My reason

My Dad suffered a stroke in hospital, after self-admitting with general feelings of unwellness. He had been over-prescribed warfarin (blood thinners) that he was taking for his genetic heart condition. 

After some brief physical symptoms that he seemed to recover from, slowly his personality completely changed, and then his mental health and stability declined rapidly.  

He then endured 18 months of physical deterioration and prolonged hospital stays, between my elderly Mum caring for him at home, before he passed away. 

It was a long, lonely and painful experience for him and our family, with limited stroke resources available to us,  limited communication or support. 

The link between Dad’s brain damage and his state of mind / motivation to eat, move and interact was so strong that his body was unable to survive and thrive in the hospital environment.

I’m Striding4Stroke so that I can increase my physical activity in honour of my Dad’s suffering and to encourage better understanding of the dangers of medically-induced strokes in health care settings. There is a strong risk of blood thinning medications causing stroke, and they should be prescribed and monitored very carefully. 

More research needs to be conducted to understand the impact of stroke on mental health and the ways that healthcare staff can support patients rehabilitation and their families. 

Starting strong

Today I joined a new gym in my local area and completed my first workout! Feeling like this is a positive start to the Stride4Stroke challenge this November :)

So far I have helped Stroke Foundation deliver…

Initial advice and support from a health professional on StrokeLine

A stroke recovery pack to three survivors of stroke

Training to a StrokeSafe volunteer to deliver community talks.

Funding to stroke researchers to find the next game-changer in stroke.

Thank you to my Sponsors

$50

Rebecca Finch