The Story Behind the Mission
The Mission: BE FAST initiative was inspired by Maya's family friend, Sayuri Gould, who faced a sudden and devastating stroke in 2024. Sayuri was found by her 10-year old daughter, illustrating that children may be the first people present in a crisis.
Our goal is to bridge the knowledge gap by equipping fifth-grade students with the skills to recognize stroke symptoms and act swiftly, ensuring that every child has the confidence to save a life.
We designed and tested an age-appropriate, science-backed lesson plan with input from local experts including a board-certified neurologist, a school nurse, and an experienced elementary school teacher.
The Problem
Every 40 seconds, someone in the U.S. has a stroke. More than 795,000 people experience one each year. Every minute counts during a stroke, yet Shockingly, only 38% of people know all the major stroke symptoms and the critical need to call 911 immediately. While most stroke awareness campaigns focus on adults, children are often overlooked despite being present during medical emergencies. Mission: BE FAST aims to close this gap by providing engaging, age-appropriate stroke education that empowers students to recognize the signs of stroke and take action quickly.
The Problem
Every 40 seconds, someone in the U.S. has a stroke. More than 795,000 people experience one each year. Every minute counts during a stroke, yet only 38% of people know the major symptoms and the critical need to call 911 immediately. While most stroke awareness campaigns focus on adults, children are often overlooked. Mission: BE FAST aims to close this gap by providing engaging, age-appropriate stroke education that empowers students to recognize the signs of stroke and take action quickly.
Why Kids Matter
Although stroke education has traditionally focused on adults, children have the power to make a life-saving difference. They are often present when a parent, grandparent, neighbor, or teacher experiences a stroke and may be the first person able to recognize the warning signs and call for help.
Teaching kids stroke recognition skills has an impact far beyond the classroom. The knowledge they gain will stay with them for years to come, helping build a community that is more prepared to recognize stroke, respond quickly, and share knowledge with others.
Our Goals
Mission Statement: We strive to create lasting change in the community by educating elementary school students on how to respond effectively to strokes. This will help create a capable, well-informed society that is prepared to handle emergencies and save lives.
Knowledge Mastery
Students will master the BE FAST acronym and understand the critical importance of immediate action.
Confidence Boost
Students will report high levels of confidence in recognizing stroke symptoms and calling 911.
Community Impact
We aim to reach students across Washington, providing a trusted, evidence-based resource.
Our Team
Maya Vachranukunkiet
Project Leader
Leading our educational outreach across Washington schools.
Paige Eaton
Collabroator/Reseacher
Connecting Mission: BE FAST with local schools and helping with research
Shineun Moon
Creative Director
Animating the Mission: BE FAST video and overseeing our creative direction