A Horsham woman will stride for her sister this month, after a stroke at just 32 turned her family’s world upside down. 

Brittany King remembers receiving a phone call telling her that her older sister, Alannah, had experienced a stroke during a CrossFit class. 

When Brittany got to Horsham’s Wimmera Base Hospital to visit Alannah, her condition deteriorated. 

“I was in the room with Alannah and her fiancé while the doctors were explaining that she’d had a stroke when she suddenly went into anaphylactic shock from the lifesaving clot-busting medication she’d received,” Brittany said. 

Alannah was placed in an induced coma and airlifted to Melbourne’s St Vincent’s Hospital.  

“For me, it was devastating. Alannah is my best friend and has been my entire life. I felt completely helpless,” Brittany said.

After spending five days in intensive care and weeks undergoing rehabilitation, Alannah gradually learned to walk again before returning home to Horsham. 

Now, more than a year since her stroke,  Alannah is back to doing the things she loves, including CrossFit.  

This month, Brittany will be taking on Stroke Foundation’s annual fundraising challenge, Stride4Stroke, to raise awareness that stroke can happen to anyone, at any time.  

“I’m aiming to complete 600 minutes of exercise by walking with family and friends,” Brittany said. 

“For me, it’s about getting moving, raising awareness and doing something meaningful for a cause that has become incredibly important to my family.  

“Before Alannah’s stroke, I thought stroke mainly affected older people. 

“Alannah was young, healthy and active, and there is no history of stroke in our family. You never think stroke will affect someone you love until it does.” 

Stroke Foundation chief executive Lisa Murphy commended Brittany for turning Alannah’s stroke and recovery battle into positive action and an opportunity to educate and inspire others.  

“Alannah’s story is a powerful reminder that stroke can affect Australians of all ages, including young and otherwise healthy people,” Dr Murphy said. 

“An Australian has a stroke every 11 minutes. 

“By getting active through Stride4Stroke, Australians can help reduce their own stroke risk while raising vital funds to support stroke prevention, recovery, research and advocacy.

“For many people, strokes can be prevented. 

“One way of lowering your stroke risk is by getting regular check-ups with your GP, and making healthier changes such as exercising regularly, quitting smoking, eating a healthy balanced diet and reducing your alcohol intake. 

“Just 30 minutes of exercise five times a week can reduce your risk of stroke by 25 per cent, and every dollar raised goes towards vital stroke prevention, research, recovery programs and advocacy.”    

To donate to Brittany, or find out more, people can visit www.stride4stroke.org.au/fundraisers/brittanyking.

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