Stroke foundation raising more awareness and accessibility

As the world marked World Stroke Day on October 29, the Stroke Survivors Foundation (SSF) continued its work to raise awareness, support stroke survivors and caregivers, and bridge the gap between hospital treatment and life after a stroke.

The foundation’s work comes into focus under this year’s World Stroke Day theme, “Every M1nute Counts”, which highlights the importance of recognising stroke symptoms early and seeking emergency medical care without delay. Through awareness initiatives, survivor support programmes and partnerships, the foundation aims to ensure that stroke survivors and their families are not left to navigate the difficult journey of recovery alone.

The organisation recently hosted its fifth golf day at Houghton Golf Club in September as part of its efforts to raise awareness and bring people together in support of its work.

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“Such initiatives provide an opportunity to engage with potential partners and supporters while highlighting the ongoing need for resources to assist stroke survivors beyond their hospital stay,” said founder George Scola.

The Stroke Survivors Foundation is a survivor-led non-profit organisation co-founded by George Scola and Charlene Murray, both of whom experienced life-changing strokes in their 30s.

Ursula McLachlan was the guest speaker at this year’s golf day. She is a mother and caregiver to her daughter, who suffered a stroke at just 10 days old. Her story highlighted the support caregivers also need after a loved one has suffered a stroke.

“When my daughter had her stroke, we did not know what was next for us because she was a baby and the doctor told us she would never be independent. We didn’t know what that looked like. We had to figure out a lot on our own with my husband. But now we have found the foundation, and it has been a blessing to have the support of people who understand the journey you’re walking,” said Ursula.

She thanked the golfers who opened their hearts and pockets to support the golf day, saying their contributions would improve access to support for people in need after a stroke.

Personal experiences such as these highlight the challenges faced by survivors and their families after leaving hospital, particularly those who do not have access to adequate rehabilitation, support networks or information about managing life after a stroke.

Scola said that although hospitals played a critical role in providing emergency treatment, recovery often continued long after discharge. Survivors might need to adjust to changes in mobility, communication, independence and emotional well-being, while families and caregivers also had to learn how to provide support.

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The foundation was established to help bridge this gap through community-based peer support, education, advocacy and technology-enabled services.

Its initiatives include Post-Discharge Stroke Support (PDSS) and the Strokefocus mobile application, which aim to connect survivors and caregivers with information and ongoing support. The foundation also promotes survivor empowerment through peer mentoring, advocacy training and storytelling, recognising the value of lived experience in helping others understand the realities of life after a stroke.

World Stroke Day provides an important opportunity to reinforce the message that a stroke is a medical emergency and that recognising the warning signs can make a critical difference.

The BE FAST warning signs include a sudden loss of balance, changes in eyesight, facial drooping, weakness in an arm and difficulty speaking. The final letter, T, stands for time. Anyone experiencing these symptoms needs emergency medical assistance immediately.

“Stroke symptoms may occur suddenly, and people should not wait to see whether they improve before seeking help,” stressed Scola.

For the foundation, awareness is only one part of its work. Ensuring that survivors receive continued guidance, dignity and support after hospital discharge remains central to its mission.

Through its awareness activities, support programmes and fundraising efforts, the foundation is working towards a future in which stroke survivors and their families have access to the information, connections and resources they need to rebuild their lives.

The foundation is also developing an app to make it easier for stroke survivors around the world to connect with one another.

As World Stroke Day was observed, the message remained clear: every minute counts when a stroke occurs, and recovery requires support long after the emergency has passed.