BEND, OR -- A country music legend is coming to the High Desert, to raise money for Stroke Awareness Oregon. "A stroke does not care about age, race, gender, economic standing," says SAO co-founder Carol Stiles, "Stroke can affect anybody, any time, anywhere." Even a country superstar like singer/songwriter Randy Travis, "He had a stroke in 2013 that was very serious. He nearly died. He is recovering," says Stiles, "His wife is absolutely steadfast as a caregiver and as a support person."

On May 13th, Travis and his wife Mary will take part in a fireside chat in Bend, "To share with our audience their life, their experiences with stroke, their challenges, their resilience and hope." She tells KBND News, "This evening will be uplifting and inspirational for anybody. Plus, how many times do you get the opportunity to be in a room with a superstar and his wife?"

The event is a fundraiser for SAO, to help educate people about the signs of stroke, the importance of quickly seeking medical attention and the resources available for families. Travis was 54 at the time of his stroke. But Stiles says a disturbing trend has emerged in recent years, "The issue of strokes in young adults, ages 15 to 50, is increasing in this country. In fact, it’s puzzling and they are doing research. But the supposition is it’s lifestyle choices."

An Evening with Randy and Mary Travis is May 13th at Westside Church in Bend. Visit StrokeAwarenessOregon.org for more information. 

To hear the full conversation with Stroke Awareness Oregon co-founder Carol Stiles, visit our Podcast Page.