Friends to hold fundraising event for Irish Heart Foundation
In January of 2019, Athlone man Paul Henson was in work when he started to feel unwell. Within three hours he was in a cardiac care ward having undergone a lifesaving emergency procedure following a heart attack, at just 35.
Thankfully, he made a full recovery and has been well ever since.
Now, keen to highlight cardiac health and symptoms to people of all ages - he has joined forces with a friend, stroke survivor Carrie Minagh, who also has a big reason to be thankful for the quick-thinking actions of others, to a hold a walk/run fundraiser later this month.
When someone has a stroke, minutes matter and they could save a life. That's something Carrie knows only too well, and it's the main reason she is so determined to spread awareness of the new 'Act F.A.S.T.' (Face, Arm, Speech, Time) campaign by the Irish Heart Foundation (IHF).
She credits her mother's quick actions and recognition for saving her life, when, aged just 33, she suffered a bleed on the brain which left her unable to speak and walk back in 2014.
The Athlone woman is asking people to be aware of the signs of a stroke and act fast if they spot any of the signs. It could be the face falling – can they smile? Then there's slurred or abnormal speech or fallen arms, a good test of this is whether someone can raise them or not. If someone shows any of these signs you should call 112 or 999 immediately.
After long spells in hospital, rehab and lots of therapies, Carrie eventually made a full recovery and recently celebrated a huge milestone by graduating with a degree in community development in Maynooth.
The pair will promote the vital awareness raising work of the Irish Heart Foundation by holding a fundraising 5k walk/run on October 22 at 2pm in the outdoor fitness park of Athlone Regional Sports Centre.
Speaking to the Westmeath Independent on Monday, Paul, who is the son of former councillor Jim Henson, says the genesis of the idea came from Carrie, who was keen to do something to promote the 'Act F.A.S.T. Campaign'. In tandem with that, he wants to highlight cardiac health and the good work being done by the Irish Heart Foundation.
“The smallest thing could be lifesaving,” Paul stresses of the importance of knowing the signs of a cardiac event or a stroke.
He is appealing to locals to get behind the event on October 22 by taking part, or donating to the Irish Heart Foundation to support those living with heart and stroke conditions via their idonate page by typing in Paul Henson or Carrie Minagh.