Vial-of-Life Program
This continuing program makes Vial-of-Life kits available to anyone who is on medication, has a chronic disease, disability, or medical condition. Two stickers are enclosed which are to be put on the front door of your home and on your refrigerator. In case of an emergency, these vials containing a mini-medical history can be taken to the hospital with you. These kits should also be kept in the glove compartment of your car in case of an accident. The medical information you carry within them MAY SAVE YOUR LIFE.

Stroke Awareness
Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify.  Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster.  The stroke victim may suffer brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.  Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:

• Ask the individual to smile.
• Ask him or her to raise both arms.
• Ask the person to speak a simple sentence.

If he or she has trouble with any of these tasks, call 9-1-1 immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.  After discovering that a group of non-medical volunteers could identify facial weakness, arm weakness, and speech problems, researchers urged the general public to learn these three questions.  They presented their conclusions at the American Stroke Association's annual meeting last February.  Widespread use of this test could result in prompt diagnosis and treatment of the stroke and prevent brain damage.  A cardiologist suggested that if everyone who receives this message passes it on to ten other people, you can bet at least one life will be saved.

- Clare Jordan R.N., Parish Nurse