Stroke survivors ride to Fight Stroke
November 25, 2014
Young stroke survivor and actor Luke Webb, of Sefton, has swapped studying scripts for road maps as he prepared for a 108 kilometre bike ride from The Big Merino in Goulburn to Parliament House in Canberra today.
Luke, who is also a Fight Stroke advocate, is taking on the six hour ride as part of Stride for Stroke in aid of the National Stroke Foundation.
In completing the ride, Luke hopes to help to raise Government awareness of the impact of stroke and funds for the National Stroke Foundation.
“I have chosen Canberra as my destination point so that I can deliver a document to Parliament that contains more than 11,000 names and postcodes of people who have joined the National Stroke Foundation’s Fight Stroke campaign,” Luke said.
“These people, much like myself, demand national action for stroke. My aim is to send the message [to Federal Government] that Fight Stroke supporters cannot be ignored.”
Twelve months ago, Luke was excitedly preparing for the release of his first feature film Circle of Lies when his life was abruptly interrupted. At the age of 20, Luke was struck down by a stroke.
“I sounded like Daffy Duck, my tongue was hanging out of my mouth and boom, boom, boom everything left me,’’ Luke said.
“My initial thought was that I can’t have a stroke, I am only 20. But stroke can happen to one in six people. It’s so important to get the word out there”.
National Stroke Foundation New South Wales Executive Officer Greg Cantwell said around 30 per cent of stroke survivors were of working age.
“Stroke does not discriminate, it can happen to anyone,’’ Mr Cantwell said.
“It is estimated that this year alone there will be more than 17,000 strokes in New South Wales and this number is expected to increase to more than 45,000 by 2050.”
Mr Cantwell said that Luke will come together with other stroke survivors, carers, health professionals, families and friends from across the country to help fight stroke this month.
“The stroke community will come together to Stride for Stroke, a month long campaign, to help stop stroke, save lives and end suffering,’’ Mr Cantwell said.
“Stride for Stroke is asking walkers and runners from across Australia to take on a personal challenge throughout November and help fight stroke.
“Whether your challenge is to take a step in rehab, walk around the block, run 25 kilometres or even 1,000 kilometres, the aim is to take part. This event is for people to have fun and get active while raising much needed funds for stroke.”
Luke, who is also a Fight Stroke advocate, is taking on the six hour ride as part of Stride for Stroke in aid of the National Stroke Foundation.
In completing the ride, Luke hopes to help to raise Government awareness of the impact of stroke and funds for the National Stroke Foundation.
“I have chosen Canberra as my destination point so that I can deliver a document to Parliament that contains more than 11,000 names and postcodes of people who have joined the National Stroke Foundation’s Fight Stroke campaign,” Luke said.
“These people, much like myself, demand national action for stroke. My aim is to send the message [to Federal Government] that Fight Stroke supporters cannot be ignored.”
Twelve months ago, Luke was excitedly preparing for the release of his first feature film Circle of Lies when his life was abruptly interrupted. At the age of 20, Luke was struck down by a stroke.
“I sounded like Daffy Duck, my tongue was hanging out of my mouth and boom, boom, boom everything left me,’’ Luke said.
“My initial thought was that I can’t have a stroke, I am only 20. But stroke can happen to one in six people. It’s so important to get the word out there”.
National Stroke Foundation New South Wales Executive Officer Greg Cantwell said around 30 per cent of stroke survivors were of working age.
“Stroke does not discriminate, it can happen to anyone,’’ Mr Cantwell said.
“It is estimated that this year alone there will be more than 17,000 strokes in New South Wales and this number is expected to increase to more than 45,000 by 2050.”
Mr Cantwell said that Luke will come together with other stroke survivors, carers, health professionals, families and friends from across the country to help fight stroke this month.
“The stroke community will come together to Stride for Stroke, a month long campaign, to help stop stroke, save lives and end suffering,’’ Mr Cantwell said.
“Stride for Stroke is asking walkers and runners from across Australia to take on a personal challenge throughout November and help fight stroke.
“Whether your challenge is to take a step in rehab, walk around the block, run 25 kilometres or even 1,000 kilometres, the aim is to take part. This event is for people to have fun and get active while raising much needed funds for stroke.”