1Designating May 2013 as "American Stroke Month" in Pennsylvania.

2WHEREAS, Stroke is a leading cause of serious long-term
3disability and the fourth leading cause of death in the United
4States, killing about 130,000 people nationwide and 6,600
5citizens of this Commonwealth each year; and

6WHEREAS, Stroke prevalence is projected to increase by 24.9%
7between 2010 and 2030 and the direct medical costs for treating
8stroke are expected to increase by 238%, from $28.3 billion in
92010 to $95.6 billion by 2030; and

10WHEREAS, New and effective treatments have been developed to
11treat and minimize the severity and damaging effect of strokes,
12but much more research is needed; and

13WHEREAS, Americans are more aware of the risk factors and
14warning signs for stroke than in the past, but according to a
15recent survey, one-third of adults cannot identify any symptoms;
16and

1WHEREAS, The F.A.S.T. warning signs and symptoms of stroke
2stand for face drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty and
3time to call 911; and beyond F.A.S.T., additional stroke warning
4signs and symptoms include sudden numbness or weakness of the
5face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body; sudden
6confusion, trouble speaking or understanding; sudden trouble
7seeing in one or both eyes; sudden trouble walking, dizziness,
8loss of balance or coordination; and sudden severe headache with
9no known cause; and

10WHEREAS, A new study by the American Stroke Association shows
11that the quick actions by Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
12professionals are instrumental in saving lives from stroke and
13producing better outcomes for stroke survivors, but more than a
14third of stroke patients fail to use EMS; and

15WHEREAS, Throughout American Stroke Month 2013 the American
16Stroke Association will honor those EMS professionals and stroke
17survivors who have acted F.A.S.T. in a stroke emergency to save
18lives by highlighting and sharing their stories; and

19WHEREAS, The American Stroke Association's "Power To End
20Stroke" program will increase physical activity in at-risk
21populations through the online Power Fitness challenge; and

22WHEREAS, The challenge will track individuals' physical
23activity through a mobile app or device and encourage them to
24make exercise a daily activity through prize offerings and
25community support; therefore be it

26RESOLVED, That the Senate designate May 2013 as "American
27Stroke Month" in Pennsylvania and urge all citizens of our
28Commonwealth to familiarize themselves with the risk factors
29associated with stroke, recognize the warning signs and symptoms
30and on first signs of a stroke dial 911 immediately so that we

1might begin to reduce the devastating effects of stroke on our
2population.