About National Stroke Awareness Month

National Stroke Awareness Month takes place in May every year. In honor of this special time, National Stroke Association strives to provide everyone with the tools and inspiration to raise public awareness about stroke by hosting awareness events or activities. It doesn't matter if you are an individual or a large corporation, because the more people we reach, the better.

Stroke is the third leading cause of death and a leading cause of disability in America, but many people do not realize how educating themselves and others will help reduce the incidence of stroke. We urge you to specifically educate others about how to:

• STOP stroke through risk factor management.
• Act F.A.S.T. to increase recognition of and response to stroke symptoms.
• Spread HOPE about recovery from stroke.

Are You Ready to Get Involved?

National Stroke Awareness Month is a great opportunity to educate your employees, friends, family and community about stroke. But it does require some planning ahead. We have many helpful resources for you, including a new 25th Anniversary Awareness Event Toolbox recently created in celebration of our 25 years fighting stroke.

To start planning your awareness activity, start thinking about how you can spread awareness. Here are some questions to think about:

• What can I do to raise stroke awareness during May?
• How can I hold an awareness fundraiser during May?
• What can I do in my workplace?
• What can I do in my community?
• What can I do for my hospital’s stroke team?
• What can I do to educate my fellow rehabilitation colleagues?
• What can I do for my stroke support group?

Tools and Resources to Spread Awareness

National Stroke Association has tons of easy ideas and free, downloadable resources to help make your awareness activity the best it can be.

• For ideas, visit the 2010 Participation Ideas page and our new 25th Anniversary Awareness Event Online Toolbox. 
• For free downloadable resources, visit the 2010 Awareness Materials page and our new 25th Anniversary Awareness Event Online Toolbox.
• For bulk quantities of educational materials and other fun products, visit the Web store or download a catalog. Materials go fast, so place your order today.

May 2009 Newsweek Article Promotes National Stroke Association

National Stroke Association was featured in two issues of Newsweek in 2009 to honor National Stroke Awareness Month and encourage people to "Spread the Word about Stroke this May". Visit the Newsweek Online Showcase to read the article and learn more about how you can educate others about stroke at: http://www.newsweekshowcase.com/health/stroke-prevention/articles/stroke-act.

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