This piece relays a powerful message to all our readers. We hope that you will be prepared to help someone like Susie if and when the day comes.

On a normally busy and head-splitting day at work, I received an e-mail from the big boss. It was definitely no top secret; the message was meant for the whole staff. Thinking that it was an ASAP or an announcement "implying" that one of us had erred and that the "Big B" was simply trying to prick our conscience, I was galvanized to open it. It was a forwarded message -perhaps from the "bigger boss".

The message was about a girl named Susie who stumbled and fell. When her friend Sherry asked her to do three things and she failed to do so, Sherry called 911.

Even so, Susie had normal blood pressure readings and did not appear to be suffering from anything; she could even speak to some extent with the Paramedics. Still, she was taken to the hospital right away.

It was found out that Susie suffered brain damage after a massive stroke, but is recovering at an incredible pace.

An e-mail sent to Sherry literally saved Susie's life. Imagine. What could have happened if Sherry had not read the e-mail on heart stroke beforehand?

Stroke is defined as a loss of brain function due to blocked blood circulation to the brain. Without prompt action, it could lead to brain damage.

But I was one speculative brat. Even if the e-mail was from the boss, my four years of journalism schooling tripped my open mind before I fully believed the email. I searched the Web until I get strayed in strokeheart.com. The Web site affirmed the three steps:

1. Ask the individual to smile.
2. Ask him or her to raise both arms.
3. Ask the person to speak a simple sentence.

The e-mail had ended with a request to forward it to ther people. The more people informed, the more lives are saved. I have relayed the message to you. I hope you will not fail to help save lives.