For Immediate Release: May 1, 2009

Contact: Brian Reardon (217) 544-6464, ext. 44306 brian.reardon@st-johns.org

St. John’s hosts events for National Stroke Awareness Month

SPRINGFIELD –A casino night and a comedian are two events being planned during National Stroke Awareness Month in May at St. John’s Hospital.

Every 45 seconds someone in America has a stroke. About 700,000 Americans will have a new or recurrent stroke this year and over 163,000 of them will die (making stroke the third leading cause of death in the United States). The Stroke Center at St. John’s Hospital has a wide variety of programs and services to help stroke survivors and their families make the transition back to a normal life.

“St. John’s is certified as a Primary Stroke Center by The Joint Commission,” said Debbie Woodford, director of outcomes management at St. John’s Hospital. “We not only provide excellent care to stroke patients, we also focus on awareness and education about stroke prevention.”

The “Stroke of Luck” Casino Night fundraiser will take place on Saturday, May 16 from 6:30 – 10:30 p.m. at the Dove Conference Center at Prairie Heart Institute. This event will feature hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar; a basket raffle; and grand prizes for top winners (no cash prizes). Games include Black Jack, Poker, Bingo, Texas Hold ‘Em, Craps and Roulette. The cost is $25 per person and all money raised directly benefits St. John’s Stroke Program.

On Monday, May 18, professional comedian John Kawie will be the featured speaker at “Stroke: A Night of Awareness,” a community awareness event at the Dove Conference Center. Kawie wrote a one-man show, Brain Freeze, about how a stroke changed his life. This event is designed to raise community awareness about stroke: the causes, risk factors and what can be done to avoid stroke.

Blood pressure screenings and stroke risk assessments will also be available. Dr. Rodger Elble, Medical Director, St. John’s Stroke Center and Chair of Neurology at SIU School of Medicine and St. John's Hospital, will discuss the latest treatments for stroke and how to lower your risk factors. This event is free and is open to the public however registration is required. Free screenings begin at 4:30 p.m., with the program beginning at 6 p.m.

For more information about “Stroke of Luck” Casino Night, contact the Friends of St. John's Hospital at 217-544-6464 ext. 45160. To register for “Stroke: A Night of Awareness,” contact St. John’s Community Relations department at 217-544-6464, ext. 44301.