The Stroke and Aphasia Association (SAA) will send 30,000 leaflets and posters free to every municipality in Bulgaria. They are part of the national campaign "Every Minute Counts", which the SAA is running with the Bulgarian Stroke Society for 29 October, World Stroke Day.
Local councils will hand out the materials. People can pick them up at mayoralties, social services, chitalishte community cultural centres, pensioners' clubs and municipal service centres.
The association has asked municipalities to give out the leaflets on 29 October, talk and meet with residents, and post about the campaign on their websites and social media. It also wants every municipal centre to hold a local event that fits its means and what people need.
Anyone who notices a sudden droop in the face, weakness in an arm or trouble speaking should call 112 at once, the SAA advises. "Even one of these signs can mean a stroke," the association says.
The SAA says that in a stroke, time shapes both the treatment and how far the damage can be limited. With quick help, a person can keep their speech, movement, independence and contact with loved ones.
Both groups want more people to know the warning signs and to call without delay. On 29 October the SAA is calling on the media, organisations and citizens to spread the campaign's message.
Europe has more than 1 million strokes a year, and 460,000 of them are fatal. Stroke is the leading cause of disability and death on the continent, SAA chair Dorina Dobreva said in May at a news conference at the BTA National Press Club, held for European Stroke Awareness Day.