Linford Christie talks to Stroke News

Olympic athlete Linford Christie opens his heart this week to share his personal experience of stroke in the new edition of Stroke News, The Stroke Association’s quarterly magazine, due out Wednesday 22nd September.

Britain’s most famous gold medallist talks movingly about the effects of stroke and the impact it had on him and his family when his mother was struck by the condition in 1998.

Linford is currently backing The Stroke Association’s campaign to raise awareness of stroke in African-Caribbeans. African-Caribbeans are twice as likely to suffer a stroke as Europeans. They also tend to suffer a first stroke at a younger age and it is more likely to be fatal. Linford is keen to help make people aware of this risk. He comments:

“It is vital that people are made aware of this danger. The Stroke Association has produced leaflets that set out clearly the health risks associated with stroke that African-Caribbean people face. Adopting a new healthier lifestyle can involve changing diet to include more fresh fruit and vegetables as well as increasing levels of exercise.”

Stroke News is a free quarterly magazine published by The Stroke Association, for people affected by stroke and professionals who work with stroke patients. The magazine also features topical stroke stories and ways for readers to get involved with fundraising events in their local area. Articles report on health related issues, new stroke research and Stroke Association campaigns. Readers can find out about the experiences of others who are affected by stroke through the pages dedicated to regional stroke clubs, people and letters. 

Call 01604 623 933 or email publications@stroke.org.uk for your free copy of Stroke News.

For more details please contact the Media Team at The Stroke Association on 020 7566 1515 or email press@stroke.org.uk

Ends

Notes to editor

· A full version of the Linford Christie interview is available on request.
· Stroke News comes out on 22nd September 2004.
· Please note we have an ISDN facility 020 7251 8279.
· Each year over 130,000 people in England and Wales have a stroke. Of all people who suffer from a stroke, about a third are likely to die within the first ten days, about a third are likely to make a recovery within one month and about a third are likely to be left disabled and needing rehabilitation. A quarter of a million people are living with long-term disability as a result of stroke in the UK.
· The Stroke Association is the only national charity solely concerned with combating stroke in people of all ages. It funds research into prevention, treatment and better methods of rehabilitation and helps stroke patients and their families directly through its community services. These include dysphasia support, family support, information services, welfare grants, publications and leaflets. We also campaign, educate and inform to increase knowledge of stroke at all levels of society and we act as a voice for everyone affected by stroke.
· A stroke happens when the blood supply to the brain is disrupted. Most strokes occur when a blood clot blocks the flow of blood to the brain. Some strokes are caused by bleeding in or around the brain from a burst blood vessel. When the blood supply is disrupted, parts of the brain become damaged or destroyed. Some strokes are fatal whist others can cause permanent or temporary paralysis to one side of the body and loss of the ability to speak, read or write. Recovery may be slow and can vary from person to person.

back to top|