2026 Survivor Hero:
Gabriela Raso

Christmas 2013 brought a life-changing challenge for Gabriela Raso, who experienced an ischemic stroke that wasn’t caught at first. The ER doctors wanted to send her home.

But Gabriela, a physician herself, knew something was very wrong and insisted on a CT scan that confirmed the stroke. The diagnosis saved her life. Now Gabriela speaks up for other stroke patients. She co-founded The Stroke Foundation, which advocates for expanded access to the therapies that enabled her recovery. The Missouri City, Texas resident co-founded The Stroke Foundation, which advocates for expanded access to the therapies, resources and support that enabled her recovery.

Gabriela is grateful for the outstanding medical care she received. That includes her long-term rehab team that worked with her closely to help her adjust to life after her stroke, rebuild her body’s functions and manage fatigue. Yet Gabriela knows that she was much more fortunate than many stroke patients, who may be denied adequate care because of the costs, insurance coverage limitations or limited nearby options.

That awareness drives Gabriela’s commitment to fighting for equitable health care, as she believes health care like she got shouldn’t be a privilege for some people, but something all stroke survivors should expect.

Through The Stroke Foundation, Gabriela shares her story and uses it to guide programs to support stroke survivors.

The guiding question for Gabriela and her family is: “Would this have helped us when we were lost and scared?” She shares her story at stroke conferences and other events, and she writes articles about life after stroke for blogs and newsletters. Gabriela educates stroke survivors and caregivers about how to advocate for themselves, push for the therapy they need and ask their health care team questions.

Gabriela has turned her challenge into an inspiring story about resilience and hope, and a tool to help others facing the same struggle.