Delaware Valley Stroke Council, the Stroke Authority in the region, celebrates 13 years of providing support and advocacy for stroke survivors and their families
Submitted by: Delaware Valley Stroke Council
Delaware Valley Stroke Council (DVSC) is a non-profit organization that educates the community about the high incident and impact of stroke. DVSC was founded in 1995 by a small group of leading neurologists to reduce the incidence and impact of stroke in the Delaware Valley. To achieve these goals DVSC engages in awareness, education and advocacy and through these actions DVSC improves prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation.
In this country alone, there are upward of 760,000 strokes each year with more than 15,000 in this region. Currently, stroke is the number 3 cause of death and the number one cause of adult disability in this country. With education of risk factors and family history, approximately 80% of strokes can be preventable. Stroke is the main disease that we address plus the related risk factors of diabetes, hypertension, carotid arteries, high cholesterol, obesity, and smoking. Stroke prevention includes the identification of warning signs and symptoms of stroke and the relationship of risk factors to stroke.
On Friday, November 21, 2008 Delaware Valley Stroke Council will host the annual Stars for Stroke gala to honor stroke survivors and caregivers, volunteers, this region’s Joint Commission Accreditation of Healthcare Organization (JCAHO) Hospitals of Pennsylvania and New Jersey for Stroke Care, The Pediatric Stroke Program at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Corporate Honoree AstraZeneca.
Funds raised from the “Stars for Stroke gala” will provide necessary funding to continue DVSC functions in the local the local community such as political and public policy initiatives including leading the way for implementation of standard stroke care guidelines, and work with the Centers for Disease Control on a National Stroke Registry program; ongoing public education activities at health fares as well as community screenings, work with rehabilitation centers in the tri-state area. and support group referrals and family support.
Planning efforts are now underway for stroke prevention education programs in the Greater Philadelphia region that include the Caregiver Academy Workshops, Are you at Risk for Stroke, Hip Hop for school age children, faith based community health fairs, participation in the Martin Luther King Day of Service, and corporate wellness programs and the Dr. Howard Memorial Strides for Stroke 5K Run/Walk in June 209. Delaware Valley Stroke Council is currently is currently accepting financial contributions of any size and all in-kind donations to further our efforts and applicants for key volunteers opportunities to help further our mission. Donations are tax deductible. If you are interested in “helping to reduce the high incident and impact of stroke in the community, then please contact us.
For more information on our programs and services please call (215) 772-9040 X 2 or visit www.phillystroke.org or email lisa@phillystroke.org.
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