Each year, approximately 800,000 people in the U.S. experience a stroke, according to the American Heart Association's 2022 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistical Update. Individuals and groups making a difference in the stroke community have a chance to be nationally recognized with a 2023 Stroke Hero Award from the American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association, which is devoted to a world of healthier lives for all.
Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death and a leading cause of serious, long-term disability in the U.S. [1]. Those who have had a stroke often must overcome physical, emotional and cognitive changes to move forward. To do so requires strength and support.
The American Stroke Association's Stroke Hero Awards annually recognize everyday people who have shown personal resilience and used their experience as a stroke survivor, caregiver, advocate or expert to help others.
The 2023 Stroke Hero Awards categories are:
- Survivor Hero – Honors an individual who has survived a stroke and used their experience to educate, inspire and bring awareness about stroke.
- Pediatric Hero – Honors an individual younger than 18 who has survived a stroke and overcome significant hurdles and whose family has used its experience to educate, inspire and bring awareness to stroke.
- Caregiver Hero – Honors an individual who has cared for a stroke survivor and used their experience to educate, inspire and bring awareness about stroke on a local or national level.
- Equity Hero – Honors an individual who promotes the goal of health equity in their work with those at risk for stoke, stroke survivors and stroke caregivers, to ensure that everyone can be as healthy as possible.
- Group Heroes - Honors a group committed to educating, inspiring and raising awareness about stroke. Groups can include stroke support groups, stroke teams, families, private associations, medical facilities and more.
- Voters' Choice Hero - Honors an individual or group making an outstanding effort to educate, inspire and bring awareness about stroke. Judges select candidates from the nominations in the other five categories and public voting, open March 8-22,2023, determines the winner.
Nominations for the 2023 Stroke Hero Awards are being accepted now through Dec. 6 at Stroke.org/HeroAwards. Winners will be announced on May 1, 2023, during American Stroke Month.
