Following the unexpected, premature death of her partner at 29, Australian solo sailor Jessica Watson has made a desperate appeal for everyone to check their blood pressure.
On August 30, Watson’s longtime partner Cameron Dale died at the Gold Coast Hospital after suffering a “catastrophic” stroke.
Today, Watson is committed to educating young individuals about the necessity of monitoring and controlling their blood pressure.
“Please check your blood pressure! It’s such a straightforward thing that can save a life,” she urged in a post published on Instagram.
According to the Stroke Foundation, strokes kill more women than breast cancer, more men than prostate cancer, and 80% are preventable.
“Imagine if we could get just a modest amount of the 5 million Australians with high blood pressure tested — the lives that would be saved!” she exclaimed.
“Don’t let a stroke be their first sigh of high blood pressure!”.
In September 2021, the sailor announced the tragic news of “our Cam’s” death, describing him as her “long-term partner in every aspect of life and planned future.”
“Since 2011, Cam and I have been inseparable; our shared world was centered on messing about on boats.” Watson added.
“Describing what Cam means to me is impossible – everyone who knows us understands how much we simply loved each other.”