Foundation advancing Stroke Care for Rio Grande Valley

HARLINGEN/BROWNSVILLE – When a stroke occurs in a patient, every second matters. Each second that passes can impact a patient’s survival rate and physical capacity. Valley Baptist continues to make advances in stroke research and education through The Stroke Research and Education Foundation.

The Stroke Research and Education Foundation provides stroke education and programs to Cameron County stroke survivors, caregivers and the healthcare community.

“This year, proceeds from the fourth-annual “Red Ball” will benefit The Stroke Research and Education Foundation to continue to make advancements in stroke care, said Dr. Ameer E. Hassan, DO, FAHA, FSVIN, Head of the Neuroscience Department, Director of Endovascular Surgical Neuroradiology and Director of Clinical Neuroscience Research at Valley Baptist Medical Center-Harlingen and serves on the Red Ball planning committee.

In addition to the “Red Ball”, the Third Annual South Texas Comprehensive Stroke Care Symposium will take place this Friday and Saturday on South Padre Island, for healthcare providers working towards advancing stroke care and prevention.

“We want to continue to make progress on stroke outcomes and ensure that we advance treatment for our patients of the Rio Grande Valley.” said Hassan

Valley Baptist Health System remains the “Primary Stroke Center” in the Rio Grande Valley. For more information about prevention and treatment for stroke, consult your physician and visit www.ValleyBaptist.net.

Those who would like more information on the gala may e-mail [email protected]. Information is also available on Facebook, by searching for “The Red Ball-Benefitting Education to Stop Stroke in the RGV.”

It’s important for Valley residents to know the following warning signs of stroke and teach them to others – because with stroke, every second counts:

• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg – especially on one side of the body

• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding

• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes

• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination

• Sudden severe headache with no known cause

Stroke is a medical emergency – call 911 immediately if you or someone you know experiences symptoms.

Learning to recognize the warning signs of stroke and acting quickly when they occur can mean the difference in surviving a stroke and minimizing long-term disability, or being physically and mentally devastated and dying from stroke.