American Stroke Association Honors Seven Stroke Heroes Redefining Recovery

The American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association, has announced the recipients of its annual Stroke Hero Awards, honoring seven individuals and groups whose actions are redefining what life after stroke can look like. The awards, presented each May during American Stroke Month, recognize survivors, caregivers, health care professionals and community organizations that support people affected by stroke through connection, education and shared experience.

Stroke is a leading cause of serious, long-term disability in the United States, and the challenges often intensify after hospitalization. According to the association, life after a stroke frequently involves navigating lasting physical, emotional and cognitive challenges. This year’s honorees demonstrate how personal experience can become a source of strength for others, whether through caring for a loved one, reducing isolation or helping fellow survivors and caregivers find a path forward.

The winners span diverse roles and backgrounds. Felicia Veasey of Summerville, South Carolina, was named Caregiver Hero after rearranging her life to become her mother’s full-time caregiver following a second stroke. She also coordinated 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 educate and support survivors in under-resourced communities.

Nasheel Joules of McKinney, Texas, received the B.E. F.A.S.T. Hero award for recognizing her husband’s stroke symptoms and calling 911 immediately, leading to prompt treatment for a transient ischemic attack. The Aphasia Recovery Connection in Leland, North Carolina, was honored as Group Hero for providing free support and education to over 20,000 members with aphasia, a condition often caused by stroke. Marina Ganetsky of Needham, Massachusetts, the Pediatric Hero, survived multiple strokes at age 10 from a ruptured arteriovenous malformation and now speaks at conferences and wrote a book for children with brain injuries.

Gabriela Raso of Missouri City, Texas, the Survivor Hero, insisted on a CT scan after emergency doctors initially dismissed her stroke symptoms, saving her life. 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 large bleeding stroke, documenting the journey for her more than one million social media followers.

Winners were selected by a panel of volunteer judges from the American Stroke Association, except for the Voters’ Choice Award, which was determined by online popular vote. The awards highlight that stroke can happen at any age and that recovery is unique for each person. For more information, visit Stroke.org/HeroAwards.

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