A Killara woman who has overcome two strokes is now preparing to tackle three marathons, all while raising awareness for the condition that changed her life forever.
Donna Kille vividly remembers the day of her first stroke. It was Valentines Day in 2022, and she had just started a new job at a hospital.
"I was excited to get home on my first day, and I'd picked up some donuts to celebrate. I had been experiencing bad headaches. I went to talk to my husband, but my words were slurred, I couldn't even remember the word donut," Donna said.
"I was feeling quite weak and I had to sit down. I had only lost my mum and stepdad seven months earlier. All I could think was, I don't want to die. My husband called an ambulance, and I was rushed to hospital where they confirmed I'd had a stroke."
Two years later, Donna experienced a second stroke.
"That one had a lasting impact, it affected my speech and my right side. That's when I knew something had to change and that marked the beginning of my new healthy lifestyle," Donna said.
"I quit smoking, started walking, then started running small distances. That helped me lose 60 kilograms and has totally changed my life."
Later this month, Donna will compete in the Run Melbourne half marathon. She's also training for the full marathons in Sydney and Melbourne later this year.
"I run with a group of women. We call ourselves the Sole Sisters. We're so excited to run through the streets of Melbourne. Knowing I'm doing it while raising money for Stroke Foundation makes it even more special."
Stroke Foundation Acting Chief Executive Officer, Jacqui McCallum, said around 11,000 Victorians have a stroke each year, and people living in regional areas are 17 per cent more likely to have a stroke than those in metropolitan Melbourne.
"Stroke can happen to anyone, at any time. In fact, one in four strokes affect Aussies of working age like Donna," she said.
"Our message is simple. The faster you can be treated for stroke, the more chance you have of making a better recovery. The vital first step in accessing these treatments is being able to recognise the F.A.S.T. signs of stroke, and knowing that you need to call triple zero (000) without delay."
"We're so grateful for people like Donna who are out there actively fundraising for Stroke Foundation, while also lowering their own stroke risk by moving their body and being active."
Donna is among t'he 70 fundraisers who are competing in Run Melbourne and have so far collectively raised more than $10,000 for Stroke Foundation.
Donate to Donna today: https://runmelbourne26.grassrootz.com/strokefoundation/donna-kille.
