by Jason Cowan
PUEBLO, Colo. (GoThunderWolves.com - May 2, 2014) - The Runyon Sports Complex was packed full of energetic children participating in baseball activities, encouraging parents starting intently at their mini-super stars and everything else one would expect of a Colorado State University-Pueblo Pack the Park game, except for one blatant thing.
As fans walked into the complex on Friday afternoon, among the first things to notice was a giant interactive inflated brain display, put on by St. Mary Corwin Medical Center to educate stroke prevention.
"The reason for it is to get people's attention and draw them over, so we can teach them the signs and symptoms of stroke," said Ellen Lane, a registered nurse with St. Mary Corwin. "Nationwide only about 20 percent of the people who are having a stroke even recognize that's what's happening."
The brain demonstration came as a part of the Strike Out Stroke, a nationwide program, owned by Retreat & Refresh Stroke Camp. Strike out Stroke teaches people the signs and symptoms of stroke, as well as honors stroke survivors, which began with the Colorado Rockies, and then spread throughout the major leagues, followed by another 100 minor league teams, according to Lane.
"Last year we were the first ones to do a high school level event," Lane said. "This year, we wanted to do a college event, so we're the first ones in the nation to do that."
Lane went on to say that St. Mary Corwin Medical Center, as well as Centura Health, both got involved with Strike out Stroke to support the stroke survivors at a more local level.
"We got involved with these stroke camps, and they told us about Strike out Stroke at the Rockies, and we said 'well, that's great, but what about Pueblo, what about our community. What can we do for them?'" Lane said. "So we talked to the people at Repeat & Refresh Stroke Camp and we got their permission to use the Strike out Stroke here."
With the breaking the Division II single game attendance record on Friday, the prospect of the display at a record-breaking turnout was appealing.
"We wanted to really utilize the opportunity to teach our community about stroke," Lane said.
Included inside the display were signs about various different types of brain diseases, brain trauma and information about stroke.
According to David Barnett, a stroke survivor, the brain display, and the awareness it creates, could be helpful to the public that may not be all that knowledgeable about stroke and its symptoms.
"I think if it saves one life, it's very well worth it," Barnett said.
Related Item: Behind the Scenes of Pack the Park (courtesy of the Pueblo Chieftain)
