The national campaign, activated by oOh! Media’s experiential arm, oOh! Edge , will see hundreds of National Stroke Foundation volunteers pumping blood-pressure monitors strapped to commuters, workers and shoppers’ arms all day in seven high traffic pedestrian locations around Australia.
National Stroke Foundation Director of Communications Mary Orgill said, “This is the first time we’ve held a Stroke education campaign on such a grand scale”.
“Stroke is Australia’s second biggest killer after coronary heart disease and a leading cause of disability.”
The Foundation reports that one in six people will have a stroke in their lifetime. Australians suffer around 50,000 new and recurrent strokes a year – that is 1000 strokes every week or one stroke every 10 minutes.
“Through this campaign we are educating thousands of Australians on how important it is to have regular health checks and to manage their stroke risk,” Ms Orgill said.
oOh! Edge is managing the nationally coordinated campaign which includes creating kiosks where NSF volunteers can check the Australian public’s blood pressure and providing trained ambassadors to distribute educational materials.
“oOh! Edge Managing Director, Guy Marshall said this was the first time the National Stroke Foundation had hosted a health check activation on this scale. He said events had been held on smaller scales, but this year the National Stroke Foundation wanted to roll the campaign in a big way.”
The activations will take place on 2 April at Wynyard Park and Martin Place Sydney; Federation Square Melbourne; Queen Street Mall, Brisbane; Rundle Mall, Adelaide; Murray St Mall, Perth and Elizabeth Street Mall, Hobart.