Rex Healthcare Launches Red Tie Stroke Prevention Efforts in Memory of Jim Long
Posted: 11-02-2009 : RALEIGH, N.C.

RALEIGH, N.C. – Rex Healthcare will launch its Red Tie Campaign Nov. 1 to raise awareness of the need for stroke prevention and to honor late North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Jim Long. The campaign, which includes educational broadcasting, health information and free screenings, will culminate in the statewide Red Tie Day Nov. 19. North Carolinians are encouraged to wear red neckties or Rex’s red tie lapel pins on Nov. 19 in support of stroke awareness and prevention. Throughout the day, select Harris Teeter locations in Wake County will provide free red tie pins, stroke prevention information, free blood pressure screenings and access to pharmacists for information on health topics.

The Red Tie Campaign was created in memory of former North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Jim Long, one of North Carolina’s longest-serving public officials and well known for his trademark red necktie. After his untimely passing due to a stroke, Long’s family and Rex created the Red Tie Campaign to raise awareness of stroke risks and provide education that could prevent strokes and improve stroke outcomes. Stroke is the third leading cause of death and a leading cause of adult disability in the U.S.[1], but almost 80 percent of strokes are preventable[2]. North Carolina has a stroke death rate more than 10 percent higher than the national average[3].

“Stroke is a serious health issue facing our state,” said Peg O’Connell, Jim Long’s widow and stroke prevention advocate. “This campaign is an opportunity to educate families about stroke and stroke prevention, with the ultimate goal of saving lives. I hope everyone can take this opportunity to wear their red ties or pins and learn about stroke prevention. It’s a small effort that can make a big difference in the health of our state,” said O’Connell. “For Jim, the red tie was a symbol of his service to our state and now it can be a symbol of hope that we can prevent stroke.”

O’Connell will be featured on the Rex On Call show Nov. 14, at 7:30 p.m. on WNCN (NBC17), and in a public service announcement which can be seen throughout November on WTVD (ABC11).

To show support for Red Tie Day on Nov. 19 and receive your free pin, visit these Harris Teeter stores or rexhealth.com:

· Harris Teeter at Crescent Commons
2080 Kildaire Farm Road, Cary

· Harris Teeter at Wakefield
14520 John Rex Boulevard, Raleigh

· Harris Teeter at Olde Raleigh Village
3201-123 Edwards Mill Road, Raleigh

The Rex Web site will also feature a free online risk assessment, StrokeAware, which asks a series of questions to help visitors assess their relative stroke risk. Those at risk can sign up for a free follow-up screening and consultation.

Jim Long served as North Carolina Commissioner of Insurance and State Fire Marshal for 24 years and was the longest serving Insurance Commissioner in North Carolina history. Long’s trademark red necktie became his political symbol and was closely associated with his long career in public service. Some say the tie was red in honor of N.C. State University and others think it was red to honor the fire service that he loved so much, but the truth is that Long wore a red tie to honor his father, George Long, who also wore a red tie every day.

As Commissioner of Insurance, Long was committed to ensuring that all North Carolina citizens were treated fairly and emphasized consumer advocacy through fair rate making, injury prevention efforts and close regulation of insurance company solvency and industry practices.

About Rex Healthcare
Rex Healthcare, a member of UNC Health Care, is a private, not-for-profit health care system, with 4,400 employees. Rex Healthcare has 665 beds (433 general acute beds, six inpatient hospice and 226 skilled nursing) and treats more than 26,000 inpatients each year. Rex offers dedicated centers for women, cancer, post acute rehabilitation and skilled nursing care, heart and vascular, same-day surgery and wellness, plus dedicated clinics for pain management, heartburn, wound care, sleep disorders, diabetes education and state-of-the-art emergency services. Rex provides various healthcare services throughout Wake County with facilities in Cary, Apex, Garner, Knightdale, Wakefield and downtown Raleigh. Rex is also the first hospital in the Triangle, and one of only 10 in North Carolina, to receive Magnet Recognition, which places Rex nurses among the top 2 percent in the country. In 2008, Rex was listed as one of the nation’s 100 Top Hospitals® by Thomson Reuters Healthcare. In addition, Rex was named a Thomson Reuters Performance Improvement Leader – one of only 16 hospitals in the country to make both Thomson Reuters lists. Rex also was named one of the top 100 (#15) Best Places to Work in Healthcare by Modern Healthcare magazine. For more information, visit rexhealth.com.