Revolutionary Stroke Treatment Saves Marilyn

"I feel extremely fortunate to be given such a lifesaving treatment and privileged to have had the opportunity to participate in the clinical trial."

WATCH THE VIDEO: Marilyn’s incredible story here

After seeing her loving father suffer a debilitating stroke 50 years ago, Marilyn Jackson thought she would share the same fate when she suffered a stroke earlier this year. However, thanks to medical advancements, made possible with funding through charities like The Hospital Research Foundation Group, Marilyn’s stroke did not leave her with any debilitating side effects!

It was early one morning when Marilyn felt strange but didn’t think much of it. She was home alone when she suffered her stroke as her loving husband Noel was sadly in hospital receiving treatment for Stage 4 lung cancer.

“I usually begin my mornings with mind stimulation games on my iPad and this particular morning I was feeling a bit strange and was struggling to complete the activities. By the time my daughter Tina phoned later in the morning I realised I couldn’t speak properly,” Marilyn explained.

“I was rushed to hospital and doctors found I had a clot in my brain that would have resulted in severe disabilities or death.

“Fortunately for me, Associate Professor Tim Kleinig was on hand when I got to the Royal Adelaide Hospital and I agreed to participate in his clinical trial. The trial drug thrombolysis was administered which successfully dissolved the clot.”

It is thanks to medical advancements funded by organisations such as The Hospital Research Foundation Group, that Marilyn didn’t have any debilitating effects from her stroke. Her outcome was extremely different from her fathers, who suffered his stroke at the age of 62 in 1968.

“My father spent four months in hospital and had to learn to speak, walk and write again. I was in hospital for three days and was only told I couldn’t drive for a month. I was able to resume my life as normal after such a short amount of time,” Marilyn said.

“I feel extremely fortunate to be given such a lifesaving treatment and privileged to have had the opportunity to participate in the clinical trial. I thank him and the team at the Stroke Unit of the RAH who saved my life.”

Marilyn now supports lifesaving research through The Hospital Research Foundation that will help A/Prof Kleinig continue making advancements and saving lives of those who suffer a stroke.

The Hospital Research Foundation Group has a long history supporting research into stroke in South Australia.

“We asked our doctor who he would consider as being the best medical research organisation to contribute to, and he said without a doubt, The Hospital Research Foundation Group.”

You too can make a donation to ensure lifechanging medical research can continue, thanks to The Hospital Research Foundation Group. Donate now.