The American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association, has announced the recipients of its annual Stroke Hero Awards, recognizing seven honorees who are redefining what life after stroke can look like. The awards, presented each May during American Stroke Month, honor survivors, caregivers, health care professionals and community organizations whose actions support people affected by stroke across the United States. This year's winners demonstrate how personal experience with stroke can become a source of strength for others, helping navigate the lasting physical, emotional and cognitive challenges that often follow a stroke.
The honorees include Felicia Veasey of Summerville, South Carolina, named Caregiver Hero for rearranging her life to become her mother's full-time caregiver after a second stroke and for coordinating a public webinar on caregiver mental health. Lamont Causey of Detroit, the Community Impact Hero, regained his ability to speak, swallow and walk after a 2019 stroke and now shares his story to support survivors in under-resourced communities. Nasheel Joules of McKinney, Texas, the B.E. F.A.S.T. Hero, recognized stroke signs in her husband and called 911 immediately, leading to prompt treatment for a transient ischemic attack; she and her husband raise funds through an annual Christmas light display.
The Aphasia Recovery Connection in Leland, North Carolina, named Group Hero, provides free aphasia support and education to over 20,000 members and subscribers, reducing isolation for those with speech and language difficulties after stroke. Marina Ganetsky of Needham, Massachusetts, the Pediatric Hero, suffered multiple strokes at age 10 from a ruptured AVM and has since written a book for children with brain injuries and speaks at national conferences. Gabriela Raso of Missouri City, Texas, the Survivor Hero, insisted on a CT scan that confirmed her stroke after initial misdiagnosis; she co-founded The Stroke Foundation to advocate for expanded access to therapies and resources. Stacie Barber of Peoria, Arizona, the Voters' Choice Hero, used her expertise as a physical therapist to guide her husband's recovery after a severe bleeding stroke and shares their journey with over 1 million social media followers.
The winners were selected by a nationwide panel of volunteer judges from the American Stroke Association, except for the Voters' Choice Award, which was determined by online popular vote. The awards spotlight real-world efforts that help survivors and caregivers navigate recovery through connection, education and shared experience. For more information, visit Stroke.org/HeroAwards. Additional resources include photos of each winner and a Spanish news release available on the release link. The American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association, works to prevent, treat and beat stroke by funding innovative research, fighting for public health, and providing lifesaving resources.
