WS Chronicle

The American Heart Association is proud to announce First Horizon SVP and Triad market president Steve Koelsch as the chair for the 2020 Winston-Salem Heart Ball. 

First Horizon is the Signature Sponsor for the 2020 Winston-Salem Heart Ball and is kicking-off a F.A.S.T. stroke awareness campaign today. Two five-feet F.A.S.T. display letter sets will be traveling to different businesses throughout Forsyth County to help increase awareness of the warning signs of stroke. Stroke warning signs information will also be at each teller’s window at all First Horizon locations.

The large F.A.S.T. letters will be debuted in the lobby of Novant Health Kernersville Medical Center and in the hallway between Meads Hall and Reynolds Tower at Wake Forest Baptist Health. Novant Health and Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center are both proud supporters of the American Heart Association in Forsyth County.

“When you look at the American Heart Association’s statistics, research, and corporate and community relationships, you can see that the incredible work they do every day really matters and impacts our community in lifesaving ways,” shared Koelsch. “Bringing awareness to the warning signs of a stroke in Forsyth County is a critical way we can help save lives.”

Worldwide stroke is the No. 2 cause of death. Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States and the fourth leading cause of death in Forsyth County. Both heart disease and stroke are up to 80% preventable.

F.A.S.T. is an easy way to teach people the most common stroke warning signs and to call 9-1-1 during a stroke. Time loss is brain loss. Receiving immediate, professional help can get people the immediate treatment to greatly improve recovery outcomes. Education about F.A.S.T. aims to help people easily recognize the stroke warning signs to improve stroke outcomes.

F.A.S.T. stands for:

*Face Drooping – Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile. Is the person’s smile uneven?

*Arm Weakness – Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

*Speech Difficulty – Is speech slurred? Is the person unable to speak or hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence, like “The sky is blue.”

*Time to Call 9-1-1 – If someone shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 9-1-1 and get to a hospital immediately. (Tip: Check the time so you’ll know when the first symptoms appeared.)

The Winston-Salem Heart Ball, sponsored by First Horizon, Wake Forest Baptist Health, and Forsyth County Life is Why Sponsor Novant Health, will take place on Friday, April 24, 2020, at The Millennium Center. The night’s program includes a silent auction, live auction, and gourmet dinner, followed by dancing to a live band.

To sponsor, to purchase corporate or personal tables, or to request the F.A.S.T. display letters for your company, call 336-542-4827 or email Heather.Shew@Heart.org.