| Problem: | The Victorian Budget was just released, and Stroke Foundation again did not receive any funding for our proposed initiatives: F.A.S.T (Face, Arms, Speech, Time) Community Education Program; campaign to increase awareness and update of the Living Guidelines for Stroke Management; enhanced supports for StrokeLine and My Stroke Journey resources; and National Stroke Week Peer connection grants to help survivors, their families and carers in their recovery and to help better prevent strokes for all Victorians. You can read our budget pitch. |
| Solution: | We need your help to let the Victorian Premier and Health Minister know this is not ok and the funding decision needs to be overturned. We know time is critical in stroke, and we have no time to waste to ensure more Victorians know the signs of a stroke and to get the support they need now. Lives will be saved and improved! |
| What we need you to do: | Send an email to the Premier and Minister for Health today. (See example email below.) |
Tools to help you
We have drafted a shell email for you to send to the Premier and Minister for Health.
- Please send the email and copy (CC) Stroke Foundation’s Advocacy Email so we know you sent it.
- Also make sure you CC your local MP! You can find your local electorate and member of parliament via www.vec.vic.gov.au.
Example email for you to edit and send:
TO: jacinta.allan@parliament.vic.gov.au; mary-anne.thomas@parliament.vic.gov.au
CC: advocacy@strokefoundation.org.au, [your local MP’s email!]
Subject: Please reverse your decision and urgently fund the Stroke Foundation’s programs
Dear Premier and Minister
I am calling on you to urgently reverse your decision not to fund Stroke Foundation’s initiatives: F.A.S.T (Face, Arms, Speech, Time) Community Education Program; campaign to increase awareness and update of the Living Guidelines for Stroke Management; enhanced supports for StrokeLine and My Stroke Journey resources; and National Stroke Week Peer connection grants.
[INSERT SENTENCE ABOUT YOUR CONNECTION TO STROKE]
For a small amount of funding in the budget you could have a huge impact on improving the outcomes for Victorian survivors of stroke.
When a stroke strikes, it attacks up to 1.9 million brain cells every minute!
We know that if a person experiencing the signs of a stroke gets to hospital within the 4.5-hour window, it will drastically improve their outcomes and prevent death and disability.
Right now, only 1 in 3 Victorians experiencing a stroke are getting to hospital within this window. We also know from a recent F.A.S.T (Face, Arms, Speech, Time) Awareness Survey, that only 1 in 3 Victorians know the signs of a stroke.
We can turn this around, but we need Victorians to know the signs of a stroke and call 000 immediately.
Stroke Foundation has been running this campaign for over a decade and it has proven to make a difference in other states and territories that funds community stroke awareness programs.
Victoria has failed to invest over many years, and we are seeing the impact of this playing out in lack of awareness.
We also know that Victorians are leaving hospital without appropriate knowledge and advice for preventing secondary stroke or feel isolated by their condition. This can be remedied by investing in enhanced supports for stroke recovery so that more Victorians who are impact by stroke are able to access the right information and be better connected to others with lived experience of stroke via the StrokeLine helpline, My Stroke Journey resources and Peer Connection Grants which Stroke Foundation can deliver. This would impact more than 113,000 Victorians living with stroke in our community and help them lead healthier lives and be supported to thrive.
I look forward to receiving your reply on this very important issue.
Yours sincerely
FULL NAME: Provide your full name so that they know you want your voice to count.
ADDRESS: Provide your residential address so that they know you are a Victorian.
EMAIL ADDRESS: Provide your email address in your signature reply.