Globe-trotting and carefree, Melissa Aveyard thought she was an invincible 19-year-old until she had a stroke after completely missing the warning signs.
When Ms Aveyard woke up one morning with pins and needles in her left arm she had never heard of a stroke.
The left side of her face had drooped and she tried to drive herself to hospital but couldn't lift her foot.
Now a qualified nurse in Canberra, Ms Aveyard is urging people to recognise the early signs of stroke - facial weakness, slurred speech and inability to lift arms.
They should act fast and call an ambulance immediately.
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"It took me a long time to get over the anxiety of having a stroke so young," she told reporters in Canberra.
The federal government will give $2 million for a Stroke Foundation advertising campaign to increase awareness about stroke symptoms.
Strokes are the second largest killer after cancer in Australia.
Health Minister Tanya Plibersek said time was critical in responding to strokes.
"If someone who is having a stroke can get to hospital quickly ... their chances of survival and full recovery are vastly enhanced," Ms Plibersek told reporters.
Stroke Foundation chief executive Erin Lalor said 50,000 Australians suffer strokes each year but two-thirds of them do not get to hospital quickly enough.
In May, the Stroke Foundation called for $198 million over three years for a national stroke action plan.
Dr Lalor said the cash for the campaign was a good start but more needed to be done.
