The key to decreasing New Zealand's rising number of strokes could be as simple as raising awareness and education in stroke prevention. When you hear the word “Stroke” what does it mean to you? A lot of people might relate it to their chosen sport or hobby, but to many it is a horrific experience that people believe won’t ever happen to them. The majority of people don’t fully understand what it means to have a stroke, which is why my dad and I will be running and walking the entire Kepler track loop in order to raise money for the Stroke Foundation NZ and to educate people on ways to reduce the risks of suffering from a stroke.
I aim to raise awareness for the medical condition of having a stroke. A stroke is a brain attack – a sudden interruption of blood flow to part of the brain causing it to stop working and eventually damaging brain cells. The effects can be devastating and may last a lifetime. Stroke is the second biggest killer in New Zealand; each year, over 10,000 people will have a stroke, leading to either death or disability, and the numbers are worsening: it is expected that the number of people having strokes will grow by 40% by 2028.
This Christmas I am undertaking the McGlashan challenge for the Stroke Foundation NZ. A McGlashan Challenge is a hard physical or long-serving challenge with the aim of raising money for a chosen cause. The idea of undertaking a McGlashan Challenge has been developing since the beginning of the year. Still, I didn’t know what organisation I could raise money for until later in the year. Some may know I have a part-time job at a restaurant in town. In March, one of the chefs, my friend Chef Lloyd, suffered a catastrophic stroke; he was 27. Despite being air-lifted to Christchurch he did not make it. By undertaking the McGlashan challenge, I will raise funds to support the work of the Stroke Foundation.
One of the key factors that can help reduce the likelihood of a stroke is being active and maintaining physical activity as we age. For this reason, I have chosen to do something active and am hoping that you, the wider school community, will get behind me and support this cause. I have decided that on 20th December, I will walk and run the length of the Kepler Track (one of the great walks), which is about 60 Km in total.
If you are in a position to donate and help me raise money for this amazing charity, then please click on the link below which will take you to my Give a little page. I am incredibly thankful to be in this position to raise money for the Stroke Foundation NZ, and I appreciate the support from all of you.
https://givealittle.co.nz/fundraiser/mcglashan-challenge-one-day-kepler-run
Thank you
Edmund Ferro
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