UCI Health teams up to Strike Out Stroke

Stroke survivors recognized at Angels baseball game on July 25

UCI Health is raising awareness of the signs of stroke at the “Strike Out Stroke” night at Angels Stadium on July 25.

As part of the national education campaign designed to save lives and reduce the effects of stroke, volunteers from UC Irvine Medical Center will provide free blood pressure screenings and give out official “Strike Out Stroke” t-shirts, informational handouts and canned beverage holders before the start of the game at 6:05 p.m.

Dan Vitullo, a member of the UC Irvine Medical Center facilities management team, is one of the stroke survivors to be recognized during the pre-game ceremony on the field.

Major and minor league baseball teams across the country host “Strike Out Stroke” events in an effort to educate the public and increase the number of survivors who get to the hospital in time to receive life-saving treatment.  Stroke survivors like Vitullo are thriving today because they, or someone around them, knew how to recognize the symptoms.

While at work one morning in 2009, Vitullo went from medical center employee to patient. What began as a “warm sensation” in his head turned out to be the beginning of a stroke. He collapsed, unable to move his right side. A CT scan showed a blood clot in his brain and he received a dose of the clot-busting drug tPA.

Thanks to the speedy response and treatment, Vitullo did not suffer any damage to his brain tissue or blood vessels. He made a full recovery and was able to return to his job in facilities management, where he continues to work today.

“The most important message of the Strike Out Stroke campaign is to remember the simple, but very effective F.A.S.T. symptom assessment if you suspect a stroke,” said Dr. Wengui Yu, medical director of the UCI Health Comprehensive Stroke & Cerebrovascular Center. “The ‘F’ is face drooping; ‘A’ is arm weakness, ‘S’ is speech difficulty and ‘T’ is time to call 9-1-1. Recognizing the warning signs of stroke and taking quick action saves lives and significantly reduces long-term disability.”

The Angels will play the Texas Rangers. For more information and to order tickets, visit Strike Out Stroke Night Ticket Offer.

UCI Health comprises the clinical, medical education and research enterprises of the University of California, Irvine. Patients can access UCI Health at physician offices throughout Orange County and at its main campus, UC Irvine Medical Center in Orange, Calif., a 411-bed acute care hospital that provides tertiary and quaternary care, ambulatory and specialty medical clinics, behavioral health and rehabilitation. U.S. News & World Report has listed it among America’s Best Hospitals for 14 consecutive years. UC Irvine Medical Center is home to Orange County’s only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center, high-risk perinatal/neonatal program, Level I trauma center and Level II pediatric trauma center, and is the primary teaching hospital for UC Irvine School of Medicine. UCI Health serves a region of more than 3 million people in Orange County, western Riverside County and southeast Los Angeles County. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.