Young Stroke events and awareness

Everyone knows that October is Breast Cancer month. You've all heard of the Movember campaign, the Biggest Morning Tea and JDRF's Walk for a Cure. You can buy cute Jelly Baby pins and merchandise to support a wide variety of charities. Where is the day for Young Stroke? Where is the ribbon I can pin to my shirt that says "I support the Stroke Foundation"? I know we have World Stroke Day and Stroke Week, and I know there is so much being done, so many strides forward in the area of raising awareness and funds but on a community level I don't see it. I see people who think that stroke only happens to "old people". Hearing media reports young stroke is so prevalent in the community, yet I don't see the same level of support in the community. One of the statistics I read today was that about 20 strokes every day are happening to people of working age. Thats 7300 people every year. How many are misdiagnosed as I first was? How many more young people have to face the challenges of having a stroke AND having to educate those around them so that they can get the support they need? What can we, as survivors, do to make a difference?

I posted this on my own Facebook page and on the Young Stroke Facebook page today:

I know I've tried to get things off the ground in the past, but this time I really want to make it happen. I was interviewed today by a newspaper about the impact of the lack of support in returning to work and it's spurred me into action. Let's do this!

The Facebook Post:

Hello lovely people! I have a favour to ask you: I'm looking for ideas for a fundraiser I would like to do in aid of young stroke survivors. Each year I host a pink ribbon tea party in aid of breast cancer, and in the past I have been involved in fundraising for diabetes through Walk for a Cure and selling merchandise for both diabetes and breast cancer. There seems to be a lot of fundraising for these things and I'm happy to continue supporting them. I really want to do something to raise the profile of young stroke and raise some $$ on the side, there isn't a dedicated day or anything for young stroke. I think this needs to change and I know the Stroke Foundation is working towards this end, but more needs to be done. When I had a stroke in 2013, there was next to nothing available either in education or support for young survivors. This is beginning to change and I want to help this happen. Stroke Awareness Week is in September and World Stroke Day is in October, so I have a bit of time up my sleeve to start organising something. Any ideas are most welcome - either a comment here or PM me if you'd prefer. It's high time something was done specific to young stroke survivors and it's a cause close to my heart as many of you know.

So please please please, any ideas, any help, anything, I really want to make this a reality and support the Stroke Foundation in their fantastic work.