May Is American Stroke Month

ATLANTA, May 7 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 350 African-American leaders from across the country came together for a Power To End Stroke weekend at the Ritz Carlton Buckhead in Atlanta, Georgia to discuss the devastation of stroke in the Black community and to devise ways to fight it.

The weekend consisted of a luncheon on May 5 where a panel, representing areas of healthcare, faith-based, community, celebrity, media and fundraising shared best practices for fighting stroke in each of these areas.

Also, Yolanda King, daughter of Dr. Martin Luther and Coretta Scott King, Jr., Mary Ida Vandross, mother of Grammy winning R & B singer Luther Vandross, Mark McEwen, former national weatherman and anchor for the Early Show, Will Downing, renowned jazz artist and 23 others received awards at a gala for the outstanding work they have done over the past year to help to propel stroke to the forefront of consciousness in African Americans.

On May 6, Yolanda King acknowledged Power Sunday by delivering a compelling speech about stroke at the historical Ebenezer Baptist Church. King's mother, Coretta Scott King suffered from stroke before her death from cancer in 2006. Churches across the country had similar events on this day to educate their congregations about stroke.

The weekend was hosted by the American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association and was the first national weekend event for the Power To End Stroke campaign. Sponsored by the Bristol Myers-Squibb Sanofi Pharmaceuticals Partnership, Power To End Stroke is an education and awareness initiative to increase the consciousness of stroke in the African American community. Through Power To End Stroke, African Americans are provided information and tools to help them to reduce their stroke risks.

The burden of stroke is greater among African-Americans than other ethnic groups in America. Blacks have almost twice the risk of first-ever stroke compared to whites, and blacks 34 - 54 years old have four times the relative risk for stroke.

"African-Americans take on many battles that are often societal challenges," said King. "Stroke is a health battle that we must take seriously and confront together, because the ramifications can be overwhelming and deadly for you and your loved ones," added King. "Through Power To End Stroke, we are creating a movement to help each other live stronger, healthier lives. As a people, we must join together to embrace this campaign," stressed King.

Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States and a leading cause of disability. More than 100,000 African-Americans have a stroke each year and most don't know that they are at risk.

"African-Americans are at particularly high risk for stroke because of their increased risk for hypertension, high cholesterol and diabetes. Through the Power To End Stroke campaign people learn how to reduce these and other stroke risks," said Ralph Sacco, M.D., chair of the American Stroke Association's Advisory Committee.

In addition to the awareness of stroke, the campaign strives to encourage individuals to call the American Stroke Association at 1-888-4-STROKE or visit http://www.strokeassociation.org/power to:

   *  Take the stroke pledge to begin the journey to reduce stroke risk;
   *  Receive free information about African-Americans and stroke;
   *  Find out how to reduce stroke in the community through the Power To
      End Stroke campaign.