After surviving a rare posterior stroke at 35, Nick Farris is helping to expand what people know about stroke signs and why immediate action still matters. On the morning of December 19, 2023, Nick Farris expected his day to begin like any other. Instead, within moments of getting out of bed, something felt wrong. “I … Read more
After her family’s experience with stroke, Miss Vermont 2026 Hannah Roque is using her platform to highlight the importance of knowing the signs and understanding risk factors during Stroke Awareness Month. For Miss Vermont 2026 Hannah Roque, stroke awareness isn’t just her platform; it’s deeply personal. This May, during American Stroke Month, her story highlights … Read more
During Stroke Awareness Month, a Caretaker of the Torch from the Rochester Heart Ball shares how acronym ‘B.E. F.A.S.T.’ can save a life. As a Caretaker of the Torch at this year’s Rochester Heart Ball, Sue Rodeman represented survivors, families and advocates who are helping move the American Heart Association’s mission forward. But what many … Read more
When Shelbe Hudson had her first stroke at the age of 25, it was the last thing she expected to happen to her. Her initial symptoms were headaches and changes in vision, which she largely dismissed as effects of her job and too much screentime. As the symptoms persisted, she waited. She celebrated the Fourth of July with her … Read more
Rochester raises over $400,000 to support the fight against the nation’s No. 1 killer, cardiovascular disease (CVD). On Saturday, the 2026 Rochester Heart Ball brought together community leaders, volunteers and survivors of CVD to showcase how research discovery, advocacy, access and knowledge can make an impact and change health outcomes for Rochester. The critical funds … Read more
By Neil A. Nadkarni, MD, Director of the Neurovascular Inflammation Team (NVITe), Laboratory, Department of Neurology, Stony Brook Medicine In an ever-changing world with new advances every day, stroke-related disability is a constant. But it doesn’t have to be. Though we can limit some of the initial damage caused by stroke, the reality is that … Read more
American Heart Association’s Woman of Impact and Teen of Impact winners lead change through fundraising and philanthropy Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the No. 1 killer in the United States, but according to the American Heart Association, approximately 80% of heart attacks and strokes are preventable. Two area individuals have successfully channeled their energy and passion … Read more
by Keith Foisset, Jr. When I sat in the emergency room as a 15-year-old, I didn’t know what to expect from the throbbing pain in my head. I was confused and scared. Just three days earlier, I had felt my left arm go numb and lost coordination. I was later diagnosed with a right parietal … Read more
New York City Executives Named Co-Chairs to lead local movement aimed at improving brain health for all NEW YORK, NY, December 10, 2025 — The American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association – the leading voluntary health organization focused on heart and brain health for all, invites New York City companies, communities … Read more
More than 100 riders pedaled for a purpose while youth sports organizations and community members learned Hands-Only CPR at the American Stroke Association’s CycleNation event on Sunday. The ride boosts mental and physical health while raising critical funds to stop the cycle of stroke across the nation. Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death … Read more
Dr. Corey Bennett, DNP, MSN, RN-BC to chair the American Heart Association’s Vermont 2025-26 Go Red for Women initiative Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death for women[1] in Vermont and across the United States. To change that, the American Heart Association, a relentless force changing the future of health for everyone everywhere, … Read more
American Heart Association provides blood pressure equipment to several public libraries in Vermont and New Hampshire They’ve always been a resource center for the community, and a new program in the Upper Valley is letting libraries add one more important asset to their lending opportunities: blood pressure cuffs. High blood pressure is often referred to … Read more
The American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® initiative promotes up-to-date, research-based guidelines to ensure all patients have access to lifesaving care WASHINGTON, 2025 — Twenty-five hospitals in the Greater Washington Region are among the 4,800 nationwide that participate in the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® initiative to improve outcomes for Americans who … Read more
“I will never get tired of talking about it,” Maddy Ferriter, of Clarence said of her stroke. “It taught me that no one is ever too young to undergo any kind of medical event. I am living proof.” On January 23, 2023, everything seemed normal as Maddy prepared for her AP Calculus midterm during her … Read more
The most significant danger associated with Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) is an increased risk of stroke; individuals with AFib are five times more likely to experience a stroke compared to those without AFib. Stroke is a disease that affects the arteries leading to and within the brain, and it’s the No. 5 cause of death and … Read more
The American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® initiative promotes up-to-date, research-based guidelines to ensure all patients have access to lifesaving care 43 hospitals in Virginia are among the 2,600 nationwide that participate in the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® initiative to improve outcomes for Americans who experience heart disease or stroke. Heart … Read more
Allison Kerwin, Senior Vice President of Delaware Commercial Real Estate for M&T Bank, will serve in leadership role. The American Heart Association, the world’s leading nonprofit organization focused on ensuring longer, healthier lives for all, has named Allison Kerwin, senior vice president of Delaware Commercial Real Estate for M&T Bank, as chair of the 2023 … Read more
More than 2,000 Massachusetts residents die from stroke every year and even more are left with long-term disabilities. In many cases, this could be prevented. They key is ensuring stroke patients get to the right hospital as quickly as possible. This is not always happening in Massachusetts. That’s why the American Heart Association is calling … Read more
Rachel Scanlon Henry shared her experience with stroke at the 2021 Central Massachusetts Heart and Stroke Ball, held virtually on April 22. Rachel had a stroke when she was at her doctor’s office for a routine physical examination in 2003. She received immediate care, which saved her life and kept the effects of the stroke … Read more
Stroke is the nation’s No. 5 killer, and leading cause of disability. The American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association, is hosting CycleNation to raise awareness about that fact – and raise the funds to change the statistic. President and CEO of Titanium Industries and chair of Northern NJ CycleNation, Brett Paddock, … Read more
Eleven scientists leading the way in stroke research have been recognized for their exceptional achievements during the American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference 2021. Among those is Dr. Andreas Charidimou, a post-doctoral researcher at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston. Charidimou received the the 2021 Mordecai Y.T. Globus New Investigator Award in … Read more
This past summer, the Massachusetts Senate voted to support a bill that would ensure stroke patients get the best treatment as quickly as possible. The bill, which passed in a 40-0 vote, would allow first responders to transport stroke patients to the facilities best-equipped to treat them, rather than the closest, ensuring they immediately get … Read more
COVID has put a spotlight on public health, along with health disparities and the chronic conditions millions and millions of people in our country live with every day. Right at the top of those conditions are type 2 diabetes and heart disease. The American Heart Association and the American Diabetes Association have launched a campaign … Read more
The following essay was written by Julia Austin Spanek after her father, Mark Spanek, had a stroke in 2018. Julia, who was 13 when she authored this piece, is now 15 and a sophomore at Franklin High School. Mark Spanek, a Stroke Ambassador for the American Heart Association in Boston, credits his stroke for being … Read more
Christina Crowley had been looking forward to the trip for months. New York City. Broadway. The theater. As she drove from her Shrewsbury, Mass., home through Connecticut with her daughter, they sang show tunes, laughed and chatted excitedly about the day ahead. The plan: Crowley’s sister and niece would meet them in New York. The … Read more
BOSTON – The Massachusetts Senate voted on Thursday to support a bill that would ensure stroke patients get the best treatment as quickly as possible. The bill, which passed in a 40-0 vote, would allow first responders to transport stroke patients to the facilities best-equipped to treat them, rather than the closest, ensuring they immediately … Read more
Two Boston stroke doctors are urging Massachusetts lawmakers to support a bill that would ensure stroke patients get the best treatment as quickly as possible. In Massachusetts, first responders are required by law to take stroke patients to the closest hospital, regardless of the stroke’s severity. Unfortunately, the closest hospital may not be the best … Read more
COVID-19 has exacerbated systemic challenges that contribute to inequitable health outcomes in Philadelphia. During these difficult times, the American Heart Association continues its efforts to improve access to healthy foods and quality clinical care for Philadelphia residents as part of an overall strategy to address social influencers of health. Through partnerships with local organizations, the … Read more
I am a survivor. I am a 40-year-old mom of three boys, a hairless Chinese crested and black cat and at the age of 33, I suffered my first silent stroke. I was employed with an organization that presented extremely intense situations daily. While I loved my career greatly and especially adored my colleagues, I … Read more
From the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic in Boston, stroke experts Dr. Gioacchino Curiale and Dr. Thanh Nguyen have witnessed the power of partnership. “Whether it is a parent homeschooling their child, an EMT responding to a 911 call, a nurse caring for patients at the bedside, or someone observing the social distancing guidelines, … Read more
I’m A Survivor It was April 11, 2009, a normal Saturday morning. I lived alone and had just gotten up to let my two dogs out. My brother worked close by on the weekends and he had just called me to ask a favor. I told him I would go brush my teeth then do … Read more
Guest blog by Gina Petrone Mumolie, DNP, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, Senior Vice President, Hospital Administration, Capital Health and board member for South/Central NJ American Heart Association Capital Health and the American Heart Association are thinking about you during this challenging time. We hope you are taking all precautions to keep yourself, loved ones and coworkers … Read more
My name is Olivia Richardson and I am a two-time stroke survivor, former LVAD patient, and heart-transplant recipient. I was first diagnosed with cardiomyopathy and had my first stroke at the age of 25. This was a shock to me because I had always been an athlete and been healthy all my life. After my … Read more
As hospitals, health professionals and healthcare systems, governments and leaders work to reduce community spread of the coronavirus in the U.S. and protect the most vulnerable individuals, the American Heart Association encourages heart attack and stroke survivors to takes steps for secondary prevention. Reducing risk of another event and staying as healthy as possible is … Read more
The cornavirus crisis has exposed gaps in the treatment of stroke patients in Massachusetts. The health care system is straining right now. Unfortunately, strokes continue to happen. Stroke kills 2,370 people in Massachusetts per year and leaves many more with long-term disabilities. Stroke victims need the best care possible. In Massachusetts, first responders are required … Read more
The American Heart Association (AHA) – the world’s leaving voluntary organization dedicated to a world of longer, healthier lives – announced more than $21 million in research grants have been awarded to Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and University of Maryland, Baltimore. 72 total active research grants, between the two institutions, are accelerating science … Read more
This year I have decided to include myself on the list-yes, a Valentine to me from me. To be honest, I wasn’t quite sure how to begin “gifting” myself. But I have learned and am continuing to learn how important self-care and self-love is and I felt this would be fitting. I am a busy … Read more
With the start of American Heart Month, the American Heart Association New Jersey is proud to announce several legislative victories that Association volunteers played a role in securing. The 2018-19 legislative session ended in mid-January. Throughout the 2-year session, local volunteer advocates supported priorities that included improving stroke care in New Jersey, ensuring that tobacco … Read more
Companies, organizations, families, and friends from the Northeast PA community gathered on Friday, November 15th at The Northeast PA Go Red for Women Luncheon. Julie Sidoni, anchor at WNEP-TV, emceed the event where nine heart and stroke survivors inspired attendees to take action together and commit to living a healthy lifestyle. With nearly 45 percent … Read more
When Josh St. Jean asked his after school students how many of them thought strokes only happened to older people, nearly every hand in the room shot up. Unfortunately, stroke can happen to anyone at any time. The good news is stroke is largely preventable, treatable and beatable. That’s why the American Heart Association teamed … Read more
Graffiti Alley Take Over for World Stroke Day is a unique awareness campaign that was developed by the American Heart Association’s Baltimore team in 2016. This takeover event is aimed at raising awareness of the No. 2 killer worldwide – stroke. This year, community partners Johns Hopkins Hospital and Live Chair were on hand … Read more
On World Stroke Day, October 29th, the American Stroke Association offers tips to improve wellness and prevent stroke ROCHESTER NY — October 29 is World Stroke Day and the American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association, which is the world’s leading voluntary health organization devoted to fighting cardiovascular disease and stroke, provides … Read more
How a furry friend helped me heal By Stacy Quinn, Guest Blogger Having a strong support system is important when you’re coping with the aftermath of a health crisis, especially the emotional ramifications. After my stroke, my appearance suggested I was just fine. But below the surface, I had stabbing eye and neck pain, blurry … Read more
Mike Cotoia says TechTarget’s employees have a “work hard, play hard” attitude. So, when the American Stroke Association approached him about hosting a CycleNation event at the company’s Newton headquarters, it seemed like a natural fit. “When you tell them, ‘Hey, you can have a little fun, a little competition, a little exercise and raise … Read more