Victory Over Stroke Event Set for November 9, 2012, in Sarasota, FL

Online, October 10, 2012 (Newswire.com) - The Stroke Association of Florida has announced its Third Annual "Victory Over Stroke" Sarasota event, scheduled for Friday, November 9, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Gulfcoast Event and Conference Center, 4740 Cattlemen Road in Sarasota, Florida.

The program is free, and offers free screenings for stroke-related risk factors. "The goal of Victory Over Stroke is to raise awareness about stroke symptoms and the critical need to call 911, what you can do to minimize your chance of having a stroke and how to be prepared in the event a major health crisis happens to your family," said Holly Dykema, co-founder of the Stroke Association of Florida.

The mission of the non-profit organization is to reduce the incidence and impact of stroke by educating the community about stroke risks, prevention, signs and symptoms and to provide local resource referrals to stroke survivors and their caregivers.

Dykema co-founded the Stroke Association of Florida with Kim James in June 2009, three years after her husband suffered a massive stroke, leaving him unable to speak in full sentences and paralyzed on the right side of his body. "Stroke often robs survivors of their ability to care for themselves and can put an overwhelming responsibility on the families to provide round-the-clock care for their loved ones," Dykema said.

More than 800,000 Americans suffer from a stroke each year. Stroke is the number one cause of disability and the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. More women die of stroke each year than of breast cancer. In the United States, someone has a stroke every 45 seconds. Approximately 2,800 people a year in Manatee and Sarasota counties are among that number.

The speakers for the event are:

Dr. Russell Samson
Sarasota Vascular Specialists

Dr. Hakim Morsli
Intercoastal Medical Group

Dr. Chippy Nalluri
Heart Specialists of Sarasota

Please RSVP to (888) 685-1596.

The Stroke Association of Florida can be reached at P.O. Box 25082, Sarasota, Florida 34277. Telephone: (941) 346-1122. For more information, please visit www.StrokeFL.org.