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  Serving stroke survivors and their families in communities throughout British Columbia |
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 Strides for Strokes 2010
Strides for Strokes: Supporting life after a stroke
Fraser Health`s participation in the BC Stroke Strategy is a major initiative that aims to reduce the number of strokes, improve the quality of life of survivors, and reduce high costs associated with stroke. Fraser Health programs, along with provincial and community partners, are focusing on awareness and prevention; acute and emergency care; and rehabilitation and community reintegration.
The Stroke Recovery Association of British Columbia (SRABC) is a key non-profit partner in this work, providing community reintegration services in our region. With over 1500 members province-wide and branches throughout the lower mainland, it provides support to improve the lives of stroke survivors and their families and caregivers, after discharge from the hospital.
SRABC`s programs assist individualswith the challenge of recovering from the effects of stroke to:
Maintain independent living at home
Maintain and improve mobility Maintain and improve communication for those with speech impairment Provide mental stimulation Provide an accepting environment for social interaction Provide support to caregivers Increase awareness of stroke risk and impairment after stroke SABC Strides for Strokes is an annual sponsored run/walk/wheel and an important source of fundraising for these programs. It is an opportunity for SRABC members to raise money for programs that help stroke survivors to become more included in their community. Above all, it is a chance for us to help ourselves. Whether you wheel, walk, or run, going as far as you can makes every stride count, and that is big for stroke recovery! On June 12, 2010, three official Strides for Strokes events took place in the North Shore, White Rock, and Coquitlam areas. In addition, many of the stroke recovery branches planned their own walks throughout the month of June. Where and When in Fraser Health:
June 12, 2010
9am-12pm
Rocky Point Park, Port Moody
Hosted by the Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam Branches
For Map Click Here
For Pledge Form Click Here June 12, 2010
Peace Arch Provincial Park (West)
Hosted by the White Rock South Surrey Stroke Recovery Branch
For Map Click Here
For Pledge Form Click Here
For Registration Form Click Here For a generic registration form to be used by your branch click here.
For a generic pledge form to be used by your branch click here If you would like to register for Strides for Strokes this year or sponsor a member, click on the link below for the Branch where they are a member. Select the member from the pledge page list for the event or register yourself to participate and start collecting pledges. As these are all federally registered charities, donations are tax deductible and a receipt can be printed on screen or from the confirmation email.
To make a donation for the:
North Shore Branch Click here
Burnaby South Branch Click here
White Rock South Surrey Branch Click here
All Other Branches Click here
June 12, 2010
John Lawson Park
Hosted by the North Shore Stroke Recovery Centre
For Pledge Form Click Here
For Registration Form Click Here
Strides For Strokes 2010
White Rock
Wonderful weather greeted everyone at Peace Arch Provincial Park for 3rd annual Strides for Strokes event. Surrey, Langley, and Abbotsford Branches joined hosts, White Rock South Surrey Branch once again.
Her Worship, Catherine Ferguson, Mayor of White Rock, was Master of Ceremonies this year. She related that her mother-in-law had just recently suffered a Stroke & was currently going through rehab. Mayor Ferguson stated that she was personally grateful for her contact with Stroke Recovery over the years. She has used their message of hope to help inspire her mother-in-law in her struggle to recover.
Joanne Charles, President of the Council for the Semiahmoo First Nation, on whose land Peace Arch Park is situated, bestowed a blessing on the people participating. Later, drummers performed. Her uncle, the late Grand Chief Bernard Charles, was a stroke survivor member of the White Rock South Surrey Branch until his passing 2 years ago. The Semiahmoo First Nation is a friend and supporter of our stroke survivors.
The warm-up exercise was led by Marilyn Piticco, Co-ordinator of Langley & Abbotsford Branches, where she got the crowd pumped up and ready to walk & roll. They were then led on a circuit of the Park by Mayor Ferguson and young Stroke Survivor, Laura Langton, with her 2 young daughters.
Lured back to the picnic area by the smell of barbecued sockeye salmon, the crowd eagerly awaited their heart healthy lunch.
The children were entertained by Sylvia Douglas at the Arts & Crafts Tent. This tent was shared by Face Painters, Ashley & Emma, Marilyn Piticco's granddaughters.
Korki the Clown delighted the kids, both young and old, with her balloon creations. She crafted animals & hats for the youngsters, as well as floral wrist corsages for the ladies.
Our best-ever Musical Entertainment was provided by the very talented Tim Readman, vocals & guitar, and Hugh Ellenwood, vocals & fiddle. You may recognize Tim wearing a different hat as the SRABC Executive Director. Their toe-tapping, hand-clapping style of music definitely helped set the mood for the day.
Participants each received a goody bag with items donated from local businesses. They also received a choice of gifts, either a Strides Umbrella or a Strides Aluminum water bottle with lanyard.
All volunteers' names were entered into a draw and each received a prize. Our terrific volunteers worked tirelessly at the event and for many months prior. They are truly appreciated. There was also a prize draw for participants who had gathered pledges. All-in-all, almost 100 prizes were drawn at the event.
Top Pledge-earner for Surrey Branch was long-time Speech Volunteer, Betty Loxtercamp. For Langley-Abbotsford, Frank Geier gathered the most pledges and was also the Runner-Up for Overall Pledges. Once again, Muriel Dove, of the White Rock South Surrey Branch, took top honours for her branch and was the Overall Top pledge earner.
Pledges raised by branch members go to support their own Branch programs. The grand total raised at the 2010 event was $13,600. Gayl Hutchison, Co-ordinator of White Rock South Surrey Branch, congratulates the members who raised these funds and thanks everyone who attended for making this event so much fun. Thank you to our 2 sponsors: The City of White Rock and Westminster Savings Credit Union. She is grateful to the City of White Rock for erecting and displaying a large banner in the City Centre, advertising Strides for Strokes. Thanks to the many donors and supporters in the community.
--Sandra Davidson, Speech Language Pathologist at White Rock, Surrey, and Langley branches.
      Strides For Strokes 2009
North Shore
The North Shore STRIDES FOR STROKES 2009 saw over 140 people participating in the Event. The weather could not have been any better with a gentle breeze cooling the sun kissed faces of those brave participants walking the 4 Km. circuit. A big thank you goes to Doug Querns for his countless hours of support in organizing the Event and to the Board of Directors and the Centre Staff for helping to make this day happen. Without the many Volunteers the Event would not have come together, thank you. Thanks also to our Sponsors, Teekay Corporation, the North Shore News, the District of West Vancouver, the Holiday Inn & Suites - North Vancouver, Garden Works, Park Royal Mall, Forerunners, Davie's Pharmacy and the Guava Club. A thank you also goes to the Cheers Restaurant and the Delaney's in Lynn Valley. We also extend a thank you to the exhibitors at the SFS 2009: St. John Ambulance therapeutic dog's program, Home Care West, the Diabetes Association of BC, Vancouver NeuroPhysio Services, the Heart & Stroke Foundation and the North Shore Neighbourhood House. Thanks to Freyja Barnwell, a grand-daughter of one of our Members, for designing the logo. This Event is truly about the journey of recovery: physically, mentally, verbally, etc. - thank you to all the Members and individuals from the community for raising pledges and helping to ensure a strong Speech Therapy program!
See you next year! --Liina MacPherson, Principal Coordinator, North Shore Stroke Recovery Centre North Shore Pictures:
 Doug Querns with his recumbent bicycle, explaining how he found a way to keep active (he has just finished an 850 Km trek on his bike!)
 Mary Joan Giffin (right) and daughter Linda (left) Striding for strokes!
 North Shore Registration Table
 Vanderhoof Walk-A-Thon--July 20th, 2009
Written by Luella Novak, Vanderhoof Stroke Recovery Branch Coordinator This morning was a beautiful day for our first, and hopefully, annual Walk-a-thon. 18 people met at the Stuart Nechako Manor at 9:A.M. People who attended were: Mark Cormack -Came to support our group -Thank-you! Wes Novak -Volunteer bus driver,- went to get coffee & timbits. We walked from the Manor entrance and right through the Cemetery and back to the Manor, were we waited for Wes to bring us our morning coffee & timbits. We visited until 11:15.
Luella Novak- Coordinator of the Stroke Recovery, Vanderhoof Branch. White Rock Branch hosts this event Sunday, June 14, 2009 from 10am to 2pm at the Peace Arch Provincial Park. Entertainment wll be provided by "Mr. Bubbles the Singing Clown". Please download registration forms and pledge forms as required.
We are also trying something new... "Virtual Strides for Strokes": we have created a simple and straight forward opportunity for anyone who wants to raise funds for their branch. As soon as you receive your pledge forms for the virtual strides you can start collecting pledges. Please call the office 1-888-313-3377 and we will gladly forward all the forms you need to participate in the Virtual Strides! North Shore Stroke Recovery Centre hosts Strides For Strokes Saturday, June 13th, 2009 at John Lawson Park Click on the link below for all information and forms for this event.  Every year in BC, the number of people suffering and surviving strokes increases and statistics indicate 8,500 new incidences next year. If you have had a stroke, then you know that there is a limited number of resources in the community and in the hospitals to support you in your road to recovery. Here at the Stroke Recovery Association of BC, we understand the importance of creating awareness around stroke, stroke survivors and caregivers. More awareness equals more funding and resources for the survivor! Previously, Strides For Strokes was in September, however, with Stroke Month cited in June of every year, we can join efforts and create even more awareness. If you would like to join stroke survivors and their loved ones in a fundraising walk, jog, wheelchair friendly event or if you would rather show your support by a donation please download the registration form or visit our donate page.
Strides for Strokes 2008  John Lawson Park Strides For Strokes was held in two locations in the lower mainland: West Vancouver and White Rock. Both events exceeded expectations in regards to the number of participants and all the organizers were left with big smiles on their faces.  In West Vancouver, members, caregivers, friends and family walked, jogged or wheelchaired for their Stroke Recovery Branch. There following branches were represented: Shaughnessy, Templeton, Strathcona, Douglas Park, South Burnaby, North Burnaby, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Abbotsford and Langley.
 Entertainment was provided by Celtic fiddler, Doug Medley. He walked around, playing a variety of songs, coaxing the crowd into singing along and clapping.
Walkers/volunteers from GF Strong and UBC participated in the walk and turned in donations. Thank-you ladies!
 White Rock Strides For Strokes The White Rock S. Surrey Branch hosted a "Strides" event at the St. John's Presbyterian Hall, with both a .5 km. and a 1.0 km. walk. Surrey Branch attended. The hall was decorated in a festive Canada Day theme and walkers carried blue & white helium balloons. Prizes were awarded for several of the walkers with the highest pledges in each branch. Muriel Dove, a 92 year old Stroke Survivor, Member, & active Volunteer of the WRSS Branch gathered a phenomenal sum of just over $3,000. from her sponsors. A prize draw was held for the Participants. Volunteers were rewarded was a special prize draw. There were over 45 prizes in total. Youth volunteers from Earl Marriott Sec. School directed traffic & assisted participants with walkers and wheelchairs. About 100 walkers, volunteers, & supporters attended the event. Prior to the walk they were treated to coffee, fresh fruit, & an amazing assortment of 150 delicious homemade muffins, baked by volunteer/member, Ruby LaRonde. Following the walk, there were a few childrens' activities & a Quiz for the adults during a Hot Dog Lunch and more prizes handed out. It was a fun day & the weather was, of course, sunny in "Sunny White Rock". Donations & pledges are continuing to arrive, with a current total of $8,519. for the White Rock S. Surrey Branch and $ 1,270.00 for the Surrey Branch, for a combined total of $ 9,789.00! A special thank you to all of our Volunteers, Walkers, Community Supporters & Family Members. Also a big thanks to Ron, who represented the Provincial office and handed out T-shirts.   |
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© 2010 Stroke Recovery Association of British Columbia |
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