October 29 is World Stroke Day. Every year, 12 million people in the world experience a stroke, which equates to one every two seconds. Stroke cuts off the supply of blood and oxygen to the brain. Every minute that strokes goes untreated, millions of cells die. Death by a stroke will result in every 1 in 2 people. For the stroke survivors, two thirds are left facing complications and long-term disabilities.

This years theme for World Stroke Day is every minute counts, with the goal of educating the public about the importance of time and when to Act FAST. The F.A.S.T. method (Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to call emergency) is an effective tool for identifying stroke signs. Knowing how to spot the signs of stroke is an essential first step that can help make sure people get the treatment they need, fast. Acting fast doesn’t just save lives, it reduces the risk of life-long complications that can arise from having a stroke.

Today, the Northernwestern Ontario Regional Stroke Network will be at St. Joseph’s Care Group for an in-person education session. The team will present on stroke screening tools, acute stroke treatments, and virtual stroke resources. By educating the public about the importance of time, the goal is to raise awareness to create a chain response for reaction time.

Every Minute Counts

• Every minute during a stroke 1.9 million brain cells die
• Every minute, 30 people will experience their first stroke
• Every minute saved by someone recognizing the signs of stroke and calling for emergency is critical

In honour of World Stroke Day 2025, we encourage everyone to:

• Educate themselves in the signs of stroke and pass the information on
• Partake in a healthy lifestyle
• Become a stroke spotter
• Listen and support stroke survivors and their unique stories

To learn more about stroke and World Stroke Day, visit the World Stroke Organization.